Psychic and holistic fair in Loughrea this weekend

Thu, Feb 02, 2012

A psychic holistic fair will take place in the Loughrea Hotel and Spa this Sunday, February 5, from 11am to 7pm.

Early bird menus are old hat, says AA Ireland

Thu, Feb 02, 2012

Early bird menus on offer in restauarants are being replaced by offers that run for longer periods, according to the AA which has announced that an impressive 17 Irish restaurants were newly awarded AA Rosette Awards during the 2011 inspection season in celebration of culinary excellence.

A bit of this and a bit of that

Thu, Feb 02, 2012

This week I have a few different items that may be of interest to food lovers, hence the fairly non-specific title. There are two types of ‘pop-ups’ that have entered our vocabulary over the past few years, the first is a nuisance and it describes those usually unwanted ads which pop up when you are opening websites. The other is somewhat more interesting; it is used to describe a venue for a restaurant or perhaps a retail outlet that will open for one or maybe a few days or nights only. The retail element is the more recent and is perhaps a result of so many shops being vacant and landlords being happy to rent for a few days.

The original of the species started in Paris and New York with homeowners opening their dining rooms for a meal “for one night only”. It was advertised through foodie blogs and social media sites and, of course, word of mouth. When the dinner was over you made a ‘donation’ to the host/hostess, thus overcoming the possibility that the money could be described as income. This idea has moved on to charity events and can be a great way to raise money.

Enjoy Sunday lunch at Kylemore Abbey

Thu, Feb 02, 2012

Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden in the heart of Connemara is the ideal destination for a day out with something for all the family to enjoy. Get outdoors and enjoy woodland walks or explore the Victorian gardens, all just an hour from Galway.

Notes for the season

Thu, Feb 02, 2012

Days off work provide the ideal opportunity to give our face and skin a breather. On those days we rely on a different, but equally important, group of products, or supporting cast if you will.

Must-have spring separates to suit your shape

Thu, Feb 02, 2012

January is finally behind us, the evenings are getting longer, and spring is around the corner. Tantalising looks and exquisite pieces are appearing in the shops. February is the perfect time to rejuvenate your wardrobe.

Feeling tired all the time? Low mood and not enough stamina to get things done? Your body needs detoxing, superfoods, and balanced nutrition

Thu, Feb 02, 2012

A four-week programme is offered by Yvonne Duffy O’Shaughnessy at Health and Herbs, Sea Road, Galway, including juice therapy, correcting your diet, and detoxing your bowel, liver, and kidneys in order to get back the boundless energy you once had. Juice therapy, superfoods like wheatgrass and spirulina, and a healthy low GI programme for weight loss and vitality, are not only a delicious solution to assist you in your weight loss goals, it is also an incredible way to increase your stamina and vitality as well as fight disease and recover from illness faster as you cleanse your body, rebuild blood cells, increase your immunity, alkalise your system, reduce allergies, improve the cardiovascular system and heart health, and increase your overall wellbeing.

NUIG calls on patients with back pain for trial

Thu, Feb 02, 2012

The Centre for Pain Research at NUI Galway is currently recruiting patients with back pain to take part in the Pain Disability Prevention Programme (PDP) trial. The study offers patients with back pain the opportunity to avail of 10 sessions with a clinical psychologist trained in pain rehabilitation.

Start to shed weight today — proven new ingredient discovered

Thu, Feb 02, 2012

Imagine being able to curb your hunger pangs, increase your energy levels, and kickstart your metabolism into burning more calories and shedding unwanted weight. How about eliminating unwanted weight from notoriously difficult areas, from the thighs, waist, bum, and even the neck and chin?

Naturigin — natural hair colouring now available at Salthill Pharmacy

Thu, Feb 02, 2012

The Naturigin hair colour series is a permanent hair colour series that is as clean and natural as the latest developments allow. This is a natural and professional hair colour that protects you and the environment from excess undesirable chemicals. It is a 100 per cent permanent hair colour to achieve and maintain a beautiful and healthy looking hair colour.

Heroes in green jerseys

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

The extraordinary heroics and the wonderful result in the Sportsground on Friday last unleashed joy unconfined and gave all Connacht rugby supporters a great lift. As Eric Elwood rightly said, “The players and the crowd got their just reward,” so we thought to honour the occasion by showing you the Connacht team that travelled to Ravenhill on November 19, 1958, and beat Ulster.

Extraordinary victory for the people of east Galway

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

Between 1869 and 1909 a revolution took place in land ownership in Ireland. A succession of Land Acts gradually reduced the powers of the landlord, and gave their former tenants the means and the opportunity to buy out their tenancy, and to own their own farms. Generous terms were given to tenants by the Wyndham Act of 1903. £100 million was advanced for land purchase, which was immediately availed of by the great majority of tenants. Tenants were advanced the whole purchase price of their holding, at a little over three per cent to be repaid over 68 years. Most landlords were pleased to accept the ready cash, and a whole new social structure emerged throughout the island. However, initially landlords were not compelled to sell, and the independently wealthy marquis of Clanricarde of east Galway refused to cooperate. But his days of evictions, disparaging remarks about his tenants, his bully boy land agent Edward Shaw Tener and his henchmen, were numbered.

Style Isle

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

Fashion DIY
Whether we want to admit it or not, we are not as cash rich as we once were. The word of the moment is “economising” and the twitter hash tags reinforce topics like recession, downturn and a whole load of other words implying descent of some sort. I would like to think in terms of fashion we can ignore these circumstances, use what we have and try to reinvent them..Aka fashion DIY.

Il Vicolo

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

I noticed another new sign over the door at the corner of Buttermilk Walk and decided to see what brave soul has started a new venture in the foodie world. Once inside I recognised Gerry McMahon, who worked for many years with his brother JP in Cava. As the name suggests Il Vicolo is mainly Italian; the chef, I discovered, is a native of Naples and a third generation keeping up this tradition in his family. The feeling you get is of a small New York café and it has been redecorated very carefully to create a nice atmosphere. This is one very difficult part of designing a new interior and he seems to have pulled it off. The background music was nice jazz which helps to create a comfy feeling when you enter.

Whatever kind of girl you are

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

The week before last I had the great pleasure of viewing the launch of Brown Thomas’ spring summer 2012 collections in Dublin. Shelly Corkery, head of fashion direction, talked us through what looks like one of the most exciting seasons to come along in a while.

Twelve ways to style yourself thinner in 2012

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

Wear high heels
Heels will always make legs looking long, lean, and sexy. Whether it is a kitten heel or a four inch heel, go for a height you can walk comfortably in. Thin heels with a peep toe or pointy toe will lengthen the legs. Avoid a chunky heel as this shorten the legs.

Award-winning chefs to star at GMIT national foodie forum

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

An impressive line up of award-winning chefs is set to present a series of culinary masterclasses at the first national Foodie Forum, to be hosted by the Hotel School in GMIT, on February 2. Visitors to the event can expect food demonstrations from Bridgestone Chef of the Year 2011 Enda McEvoy of Aniar restaurant, RAI Chef of the Year Mickael Vilijanen of Gregans Castle, Stefan Matz of Ashford Castle, and many more high profile chefs.

Success again for Oscars Seafood Bistro

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

Oscars Seafood Bistro has made the Bridgestone Guide Top 100 Restaurants in Ireland for the sixth year running in addition to joining the prestigious BIM seafood circle.

This makes Oscars the only Galway top 100 restaurant that is also a BIM seafood circle member. Also, Oscars has been listed in the top 10 Him’N’Her places and possibly most importantly is the only Connacht restaurant to be in the places ‘To Best The Recession’.

On the cookery book shelf...

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

Balancing the glory of a great dessert against the January need to possibly cut back on the December excesses, Bee has come up with a conceptual selection that does not necessarily take the quality and enjoyment out of a good fruitcake, gateau, or muffin. What you do get, however, is such offerings as pistachio and low-fat yogurt cake; mint, caraway, and lemon roulade with half the fat; a butter-free almond and hazelnut gateau; a health conscious beetroot and chocolate cake; fat-free strawberry sponge; and low-fat almond macaroons.

In the kitchen...

Thu, Jan 26, 2012

An Italian staple, vibrantly rich on the eye and wholesome to boot, with crusty bread to mop up.

E-paper

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