Characteristics of a ‘half-civilized’ people

Thu, Mar 08, 2012

In the late 18th and mid 19th centuries, at least 28 German travel writers wrote extensively about Ireland. I’ll tell some of what a few of them had to say in the weeks ahead, but by far the most colourful was Prince Hermann Ludwig Heinrich von Puckler-Muskau. He lived his 86 years to the full. As a dashing cavalry officer he fought against Napoleon until he inherited Muskau Park near Berlin to which he added brilliant landscapes and gardens. He searched for the source of the Nile, and fought off bandits in the deserts of North Africa. He walked through much of Europe, taking notes of his observations all of which were eventually published. In 1814 he visited England and delighted the dandy Prince of Wales by introducing the rectangular monocle. His struggle with the English language caused laughter in high society, and generally he was a source of amusement; but he seemed to have enjoyed himself immensely.*

As well as his reputation as a witty writer, artist, traveller, landscape designer, bon vivant, he was a notorious womaniser. He employed Germany’s fastest sprinter, Ernst Mensen, to bring love messages to society ladies of Berlin. He created a sensation when he arrived at the fashionable Café Kranzler on the Unter den Linden, in a carriage drawn by four stags. He caused gasps when he leapt over the parapet of the Elbe bridge on horseback, the animal and its rider falling eight metres into the water below. All these shenanigans cost a great deal of money. Puckler, no doubt heartened by his reception on his previous visit, returned to England in 1826 seeking a wealthy wife. Having examined all possible candidates in London, and finding none suitable to his tastes, he travelled to Ireland because, as he wrote to his mother, he considered Ireland rather than England to be the country for finding the hoped-for prize.

Rowing on the Corrib

Thu, Mar 01, 2012

Rowing ‘matches’ or ‘badge races’ have been taking place on the river for at least 150 years. Initially, they were confined to members of Corrib Rowing and Yachting Club, as it was the only boating club in existence here. When the Commercial Club was formed in 1875, a meeting was held to promote a regatta on the stretch of river under Menlo Castle. It was well attended, and there was general agreement that the regatta should be independent of both clubs, and open to everybody.

Oscar Wilde believed that Balfour did WS Blunt a favour

Thu, Mar 01, 2012

Week III

The Galway Lions Club, a brief history

Thu, Feb 23, 2012

Lions International is a worldwide organisation with more than one million members, united in their aims under the motto “We serve”. The Galway Lions Club was formed 40 years ago, and since then has been a very active group in helping the less fortunate members of our community. Essentially, what members do is very good work, and they enjoy doing it, but none of it would have been possible without the remarkably generous support of the general public.

The prisoner in the long, warm, overcoat

Thu, Feb 23, 2012

Week II

Mindy Browne’s at La Maison Chic

Thu, Feb 23, 2012

Mindy Browne’s Interiors, based in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, is an Irish-run business with more than 20 years’ experience in giftware and home interiors. Mindy Browne’s, sister brand to Genesis Fine Arts, has developed into Ireland’s leading giftware and home interiors brand. The company’s new range is now available at La Maison Chic, with 20 per cent off mirrors, lighting, and furniture until the end of March.

Lunch at The g

Thu, Feb 23, 2012

The last few years seem to have seen an explosion in the market for eating out on Sundays. Once upon a time it was not considered acceptable to make others work on a Sunday, but I think that day is past (for good or ill), Perhaps it is because so many people do not get a chance to sit down together during the week and they feel that their treat is to eat out together on Sunday. For some it is absolutely every Sunday, for others it is the occasional treat. I often ask restaurant and hotel owners what their business is like on Sundays, and I am regularly astounded by the number of covers they do on a Sunday, it is enormous. Often it is an excuse to bring together extended family for a meal out without breaking the bank, and most establishments make particular efforts to see that children are catered for, thus making it less stressful on parents.

Give your house a makeover and save on your energy bills with EuroExternal from EuroHome Building Systems

Thu, Feb 23, 2012

EuroHome Building Systems will hold an information evening today (Thursday) on its newest product, EuroExternal external wall insulation.

Forty five homes in Galway found with high levels of cancer-causing radon gas

Thu, Feb 16, 2012

Twenty three per cent of Galway homes recently tested for radon were found to have high levels of the cancer-causing gas according to figures released today by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII).

GMIT Hotel School to host Titanic commemorative dinner

Thu, Feb 16, 2012

The Hotel School at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology is holding what the school says will be one of the best Titanic commemorative events this year, an 11-course black tie dinner replicating the meal served to guests in the first class dining room on the RMS Titanic. Tickets are already sold out for the event, which takes place on Wednesday 21 March in aid of the Galway RNLI Lifeboat.

Slender rounds up couch potatoes in Ballina

Thu, Feb 16, 2012

Leading natural slimming supplement Slender attracted couch potatoes from all over Co Mayo last week and put the spotlight on stress snacking at an event in Molloy’s Pharmacy in Bunree, Ballina, Co Mayo.

Breads, cakes, and buns at Alan’s Bakery

Thu, Feb 16, 2012

The smell of freshly baked bread wafting from a bakery is one of the most universally liked aromas. It is especially nostalgic for me, as when I was about 14 years old I worked for two summers in Toohey’s bakery in Loughrea. As it was located at the bottom of our garden I had always loved the smell when I called in on the way home from school. John Toohey was a gentleman and while I was expected to do my bit in about 100 degrees heat I was well looked after. One of the ovens was a coal/coke fired monstrosity with a huge sliding heavy metal tray that cooked 144 loaves at a time. When it was pulled out all the bread had to be taken off by hand, and I quickly developed hands that could tolerate hot tins and bread. And of course that smell, fantastic, and many a time we would pull open a hot loaf and lash on the fresh butter.

And the award goes to…

Thu, Feb 16, 2012

If I ever won an award (preferably an Oscar) I would make sure I wore the mother of all ball gowns, bring the red carpet to a standstill, pose for the paps until my cheeks hurt and blow kisses at the adoring crowd. Well I can dream, right? Award season is well underway; the Golden Globes set the bar for exquisite style from Michelle Williams and Charlize Theron, the SAG awards let Angelina have her moment in Jenny Packham and the BAFTAs this week brought the black evening dress back to the fore. That said, celebrities do have the choice of every gown known to man; but not to worry, there are plenty of formal dresses making an appearance this season and at really affordable prices.

Leading Scandinavian natural hair colour now available in Ireland

Thu, Feb 16, 2012

Naturigin organic based hair colour is completely new to the market. Made in Denmark without ammonia and parabens, the hair colours have much lower levels of PPDs than other leading brands. Naturigin is the market leader in Scandinavia, where health conscious consumers have long been demanding less harmful chemicals in personal care products. In fact, Naturigin is the only hair colour permitted to be sold in pharmacies in the Nordic countries.

Popular celebrity beauty treatment now available at Therapie

Thu, Feb 16, 2012

Therapie Clinic has been a leader in the health and beauty industry for 11 years now and has introduced us to some of the most effective and advanced skin treatments available in the world. Take the JetPeel facial for example — prior to this, the JetPeel was the best-kept secret in Hollywood and a must-have treatment before every red carpet event.

Embrace the new season with Design House Barna

Thu, Feb 16, 2012

Step into spring with Design House Barna. New season stock has arrived at the company with a new label, Just B, now available along with gorgeous collections from One Step, Evelin Brandt, Kate Cooper, James Lakeland, Johnstons Cashmere, Rosner, and Mat de Misaine.

The new smart casual

Thu, Feb 16, 2012

When I am helping clients sort out their wardrobe or shopping, the most common question I am asked is, ‘What can I wear for smart casual?’ When it comes to dressing smart casual there is a fine line between being overdressed and looking like you are going for a walk.

The new smart casual

Thu, Feb 16, 2012

When I am helping clients sort out their wardrobe or shopping, the most common question I am asked is, ‘What can I wear for smart casual?’ When it comes to dressing smart casual there is a fine line between being overdressed and looking like you are going for a walk.

Your local dentist

Thu, Feb 16, 2012

In Ireland we are blessed with a range of professional, dedicated, and experienced local dental services. We have an excellent selection of general dental practitioners providing care for the community and a range of more specialised dentists providing oral surgery, periodontics (gums), endodontics (root canal), orthodontics, (braces), paedodontics (children’s dentistry), technicians, and technology to rival anywhere in the world.

HSE should use St Francis’ beds says Connolly

Thu, Feb 16, 2012

Galway’s city councillors want the HSE West to use empty beds in St Francis’ Nursing Home as step down beds for University Hospital Galway, and to employ the extra staff.

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