Notes for the season

Thu, Oct 13, 2011

While most of us did not get a chance to trot out our summer gear much in Ireland this year, we know for sure our autumn/winter stuff will be used. Below are five trends you should invest in for October.

Something faux: From Max Mara to Velvet, everyone is doing faux this season. I love the gilets and scarves, not only are they truly warm, but they instantly add an element of glamour and attitude to even the safest of outfits. And you do feel like you are luxuriating when you toss one on over anything. I love gilets. From the practical flat packed down versions in Max Mara to the more decadent faux versions, I feel like they go with virtually everything. And it is so rare that I truly love something that also happens to be useful.

Has Sir William Gregory been brought in from the cold?

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

Sir William Gregory of Coole, Co Galway, and the husband of Lady Augusta in his later years, has been vilified unfairly by historians and commentators, said Brian Walker, professor of Irish Studies at Queen’s University last weekend. As the member of parliament who introduced the so called ‘Gregory clause’ as the Great Famine raged through the land, he did so for humane motives; but it was exploited by some ruthless landlords to clear their land.

Choc horror - how to conquer your chocolate cravings

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

Will you, won’t you? Of course you will. It is difficult to resist the lure of chocolate, especially when it is lying in wait for you at the checkout. (Apparently ninety per cent of chocolate sales in supermarkets are impulse buys.)

Things to celebrate about Irish food

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

It would have been hard to live anywhere in Ireland this past week and not know that the National Ploughing Championships were taking place in Athy, Co Kildare. Several radio stations even moved their entire broadcasting base to Athy for the three days. Going to the ploughing is a bit like going to the oyster festival for many people, ie, the main attraction is no longer the centre of attention. Many people I met there this week had absolutely no intention of looking at any ploughing; most were there for a ‘day out’ with no agenda.

The big headline story of the ploughing was that our President, Mary McAleese, stated that farming is the new champion of our economy, bringing the whole food production section firmly centre stage, and why not? We do not have to attract any foreign investors and they do not shut shop and move to India, for example. So why have we not realised this before? Perhaps it was that our psyche said to us that food is something you eat to stay alive, not something to celebrate. But all this is changing, and changing rapidly. One caller to the radio station, Newstalk, at the ploughing said that he was at the launch of a new Ferrari in Italy (wow, someone out there still has loads of loot), and the gala dinner for 600 guests had Irish beef as the main course.

Brighten up your home for winter at The Fabric Store

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

Autumn/winter is well and truly under way at the Fabric Store in Terryland. A great way to start the season is to revamp your home with the latest fabric trends.

Heart health awareness campaign at Evergreen

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

Heart Health Week is currently running at all five Evergreen Healthfoods stores and, to coincide with today’s World Heart Day, it is running an awareness campaign to promote heart healthy choices.

With approximately 10,000 deaths each year in Ireland from cardiovascular disease, heart health demands attention and exercise allied to some simple dietary choices and better nutrition can make a significant difference.

Acupuncture as an aid to fertility

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

The ancient Chinese believed that energy forces called meridians ran through the body. Blockages along these meridians could lead to sickness and other ailments, including infertility. Chinese acupuncture practitioners treat these blockages by painlessly inserting slender needles at different points along the meridians.

New weight loss discovery spells the end for fad diets

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

Therapie Clinic was a hot destination this week as dieting divas descended to stock up on the calorie-burning capsule Capsiplex. A ground breaking discovery has been made in the weight-loss world — it is finally time to say good bye to ineffective, unhealthy, faddy diets, to hunger pangs and yo-yo dieting.

The jean scene at Born

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

There are very few things in life worse than jean shopping. We here at Born have heard it described as ‘hell on earth’, a ‘torturous experience’ and ‘my worst nightmare’. Let us just say: we hear you.

Brown Thomas Galway presents the insider’s guide to autumn fashion

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

Choosing the perfect wardrobe and keeping on top of the latest fashion and beauty trends has been made a lot easier this autumn with the help of ‘Your Walk-in Wardrobe’ at Brown Thomas Galway.

Throughout September the staff at Brown Thomas in Galway are offering advice on how to choose key wardrobe staples and essential items, presenting informative wardrobe workshops each week, hosting fun and enlightening events with renowned international fashion designers and make-up artists, and giving customers access to some of Ireland's best beauty guru's and fashion stylists.

What to wear this season

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

Now is the time to re-think your wardrobe, have a sort out, and consider some purchases that will update your look with timeless pieces that you will love to wear. Here is a sneak peek at what is hot for your wardrobe this season.

Choose your good hair day and receive twenty per cent off at Yourell’s

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

Yourell’s has announced a new 20 per cent off promotion on hair colour — customers can simply pick the day to have their hair coloured and avail of discounts for Blonde Monday, Brunette Tuesday, and Redhead Wednesday.

Corry’s Food Hall and Sabor Café, Loughrea

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

I was delighted to see that Corry’s Food Hall and Sabor Café in Loughrea is a finalist in the Retail Excellence Awards Ireland for 2011. It was nominated in Best Medium Size Store and Best Overall Store categories and it is the only remaining entry from Connacht. This is a very big nationwide contest and it is a fair achievement to get to be the county winner, however to be the last remaining entrant from the entire region is a testament to their hard work. If you have ever been in the store you will not be surprised at this, if you have not then you really should see it. So best of luck to Nigel, Declan, and all the team when the winners will be announced on November 5.

Fifty Mile Feast for Galway Simon Community

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

On Saturday October 8 at the old Columban Hall on Sea Road there will be a seven-course banquet with all proceeds going to the Galway Simon Community. Seven of our top chefs will be using the very best artisan produce from within 50-miles radius of Galway to design a dinner to remember. There will be wines paired with each course to ensure you have a great night. Some of the names involved will be well known to you, Jessica Murphy from Kai, JP McMahon from Cava, Seamus Sheridan from Sheridan’s cheesemongers, Jamie Peaker from Builin Blasta, Sorcha Molloy from Herons Rest, Paolo Burnato and Perluigi Suzana from Ard Bia, Peter Boland from Cases Wines, and Enrico Fantasia. All the produce is being donated by the various local producers. Tickets are €95 each and available from Kai and Ard Bia, or contact (085) 2388522 or www.galwaysimon.ie

Talking to children about separation

Thu, Sep 29, 2011

The decision to separate is a painful one for all concerned.

One of the most difficult things for parents to do is to tell the children. It is quite likely that they are aware that relations between mum and dad are not good.

Charles Lamb in Galway

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

Historic paintings of Galway are scarce enough so it is always good to come across them. Our image today is one of the Claddagh painted by Charles Lamb in the 1930s. It is hardly surprising that visitors, painters, poets, and novelists were attracted to this fishing village that was in Galway, but not of it. They were all fascinated by the odd assortment of thatched cottages, built at haphazard angles, with intersecting streets and lanes in which one could lose one’s way within a couple of acres. Sometimes they were built in irregular squares or circles around little greens where the young children played. The houses were very small, and while some showed signs of poverty, most were very clean and neat. The back doors of many of the houses looked into the front door of their neighbours, and though the buildings were quaint, picturesque, and romantic, modern sanitation was unknown there.

‘Lady Betty’ and the ‘ enemy of romance’

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

In the 1820s the hangman for the Connacht circuit was a woman known as ‘Lady Betty’. She had actually been sentenced to death for killing her own son, and stealing his savings. But she escaped the hangman’s noose by pleading that she could fill the vacancy that existed for a hangman. Her first hanging was watched to see if she could handle the rough business of a public execution with some sort of expediency. Apparently she could. She was officially appointed to hang and flog those convicted in the Connacht courts.

Charles Lamb in Galway

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

Historic paintings of Galway are scarce enough so it is always good to come across them. Our image today is one of the Claddagh painted by Charles Lamb in the 1930s. It is hardly surprising that visitors, painters, poets, and novelists were attracted to this fishing village that was in Galway, but not of it. They were all fascinated by the odd assortment of thatched cottages, built at haphazard angles, with intersecting streets and lanes in which one could lose one’s way within a couple of acres. Sometimes they were built in irregular squares or circles around little greens where the young children played. The houses were very small, and while some showed signs of poverty, most were very clean and neat. The back doors of many of the houses looked into the front door of their neighbours, and though the buildings were quaint, picturesque, and romantic, modern sanitation was unknown there.

‘Lady Betty’ and the ‘ enemy of romance’

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

In the 1820s the hangman for the Connacht circuit was a woman known as ‘Lady Betty’. She had actually been sentenced to death for killing her own son, and stealing his savings. But she escaped the hangman’s noose by pleading that she could fill the vacancy that existed for a hangman. Her first hanging was watched to see if she could handle the rough business of a public execution with some sort of expediency. Apparently she could. She was officially appointed to hang and flog those convicted in the Connacht courts.

Controlling your cholesterol

Thu, Sep 22, 2011

Heart disease remains the country’s biggest killer. However, for many people their risk of developing it can be dramatically reduced or delayed by making some simple lifestyle changes.

E-paper

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