Scallywags opens in Barna tomorrow

Thu, Sep 08, 2011

Scallywags the company which sells a top range of children’s clothing in stores in Mayo and Galway, has just opened a new store in Barna.

A step in the right direction at Born footwear

Thu, Sep 08, 2011

It is fair to say we did not have much of a summer this year so it is no surprise that autumn has crept into our lives without any radical changes. But there has been a shift — the days are growing shorter and in the last week or so temperatures have certainly dropped. With this change we will also see an adjustment in our wardrobe — the sandals and flip flops will be packed away for another year and we will all reach for our sturdy boots and cosy footwear.

Galway minor hurlers, 1965

Thu, Sep 01, 2011

Hurling is more than just a game, it is the most Irish thing we have apart from our language, a national passion which is woven deeply into the social fabric of Irish society, an icon of Irish culture, a game that is played for pride, not money.

The day war came to Galway

Thu, Sep 01, 2011

On Monday morning September 4 1939, the Galway harbour master Capt T Tierney was listening to a radio message from the Norwegian freighter Knute Nelson to say that it was steaming to Galway with 430 survivors from the Athenia, which was sunk by torpedo 250 miles north-west of Inishtrahull Island, off the Donegal coast. There were injuries among the survivors. Many were distressed and suffering from hypothermia. It requested urgent assistance.

The Augustinians and Forthill

Thu, Aug 25, 2011

The Augustinians have been associated with Galway since the year 1500. Their first convent, or priory, was built on Fort Hill between 1506 and 1508. Its patroness was Margaret Athy who was the wife of the then mayor, Stephen Lynch. He sailed for Spain in search of a cargo of rich wines, and when he returned, he was astonished to see the graceful outline of a new church, with tower and tapering spire, on the elevated promontory that was Fort Hill. Not one stone of it had been laid when he left the city.

Old postcards from Connemara

Thu, Aug 25, 2011

Week II

Galway’s military museum

Thu, Aug 18, 2011

Our photograph today was taken in Eyre Square in 1922, and shows the Connaught Rangers parading through the city on their last day in Galway. It is interesting to see them on horseback, on foot, and with bicycles. As you can see in the foreground, there is a long line of soldiers standing in front of the crowd, and there is what looks like a temporary reviewing stand on the far side of the street.

Notes for the season

Thu, Aug 18, 2011

MAC’s colour corrector, in radiant rose, can be used as undereye concealer. Alona, MAC make-up artist in Brown Thomas Galway, taught me this. If you are naturally very pale and have a tendency to get blue bags under your eyes as I do, this is the dream product. If you have yellow undertones, and your under eye area looks red, use the Light Boost in yellow. I love when a product is clever and you can use it for a purpose other than what it was originally intended. I have had a love affair with concealer for over three years, and ditched it in a heartbeat for this product, never looking back. Alona is a genius make-up artist who gives great individual tips; she told me to bring my corrector further down my eye area than I think, and my blush higher up than I think , and this made a huge difference. March into the Mac counter and ask her anything about your make-up routine. It’s like she has taken the Hippocratic oath, except for make-up artists, first doing no harm — she assesses what needs correcting and sets about doing that while explaining what she is fixing. She is amazing.

The sunglasses cleaning kit. I’m serious; I’m not just saying that in a moustache-twirling, trying-to-get-you-to-spend-your-money kind of way. You worship at the altar of Tom Ford, you spend all that money on an amazing pair of shades, why balk at spending an extra €10 on a cleaning kit? It comes with a mini screwdriver to tighten the frames, a washable cloth, and a silicone based spray that puts a protective coat on your glasses to prevent nicks and scratches. At Brown Thomas we even refill the spray for free.

Autumn/winter trends at Born

Thu, Aug 18, 2011

Colour blocking has been a huge trend so far this year and this is set to continue as we move into autumn/winter. Here at Born the store is awash with 'boozy colours' — our new arrivals feature burgundy, mustard and berry tones that give you a lovely warm comforting feeling, a necessity with the weather we have been having of late.

Terrific terroir at Aniar

Thu, Aug 18, 2011

I think many of us could take a lesson in optimism from restaurants; it is the one area of business which is continuing to expand in Galway. Just witness any premises that has closed during the past 12 to 15 months and every one of them has been reopened with a new owner and often with a complete change of style and food.

One example is the premises that was previously Abalone Restaurant in Dominick Street and now has the name ‘Aniar’ over the door. The premises have been totally redecorated and the internal layout changed to give a fabulously airy and relaxed atmosphere that seats just about 30 diners. It has a Scandinavian feel to it and if you are curious you can look in the very large window that fills the space with light.

Fifteen per cent off for three days only at La Maison Chic

Thu, Aug 18, 2011

Laurent Billiet, one of the west’s leading interior designers, launched his long awaited and much anticipated interior design boutique on June 30. La Maison Chic’s La Boutique, located at No 11 Lower Abbeygate Street, is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sundays 1pm to 5.30pm. To celebrate, La Maison Chic is offering 15 per cent off everything on Thursday August 18, Friday August 19, and Saturday August 20.

Galway Antiques Fair this weekend

Thu, Aug 18, 2011

Antique dealers from all over Ireland will be at the Galway Bay Hotel this Sunday for the Galway Antiques and Collectables Fair.

Weight loss — ask an expert

Thu, Aug 18, 2011

A. This is all down to changes in your metabolism. As we get older our metabolism is rapidly changing. Thyroid function declines, male and female hormones decline, our digestive function declines, liver function declines, blood sugar rises, and these are just a few of the changes. These are all critical factors for weight loss.

Acupuncture to assist fertility

Thu, Aug 18, 2011

Acupuncture is one of the fertility treatments being sought by a growing number of women who are not able to get pregnant using more conventional methods.

Laughing Matters

Thu, Aug 18, 2011

Laughter is good for our health. It relaxes our bodies, relieves stress, boosts our immune systems and helps protect our hearts.

It has wider benefits, too. It strengthens relationships, enhances teamwork, attracts others to us and adds joy to life.

Teaching Irish in Connemara 1907

Thu, Aug 18, 2011

It may sound like a contradiction of terms, but teaching the Irish language in the opening decades of the last century could also be a method of teaching English. Irish was the spoken language in most homes of the west of Ireland, but it was recognised that knowledge of English was essential when emigration was usually the only way a young man or girl could better themselves. It is to the great credit of the Gaelic League, established in 1893 to promote the teaching of Irish in all national schools, that it recognised that fact. The Gaelic League, like its near contemporary the GAA, idealised the culture and way of life of the surviving Gaeltacht areas; and its success was largely due to its understanding that a bilingual approach would best serve everyone’s purposes.

Sharpen up your look

Thu, Aug 11, 2011

Sharpen up your look with this season’s tailored pieces for a grown-up and elegant style.

Paddy Burke’s restaurant and the Clarinbridge Oyster Festival

Thu, Aug 11, 2011

Along with its nearby neighbour, Moran’s of the Weir, I reckon Paddy Burke’s must be one of the best known landmark pubs in the country. I pass by the front door most days and there are always cars turning in to park, especially tourists who have heard the name or have been there previously. For myself it is the place of one of my earliest culinary memories. During the mid to late 1970s I was a regular diner there, that was when bar food had just moved from ‘hang sandwiches’ to toasted sandwiches (really posh) and to hot food. My absolute favourite dish back then was chicken cordon bleu and it was the most popular dish on their menu for many years. The luxury of it, breaded on the outside, ham on the inside, and a cheesy sauce oozed out as soon as it was cut. I am sure many readers will remember this dish too.

Clarinbridge Oyster Festival 2011

Thu, Aug 11, 2011

Just a short note to remind you that Paddy Burke’s is the site of the Clarinbridge Oyster Festival on Friday September 9, Saturday September 10, and Sunday September 11. It starts on the Friday at 9.30pm until 1.30am and the cost is €20. That gets you entertainment by the American Drifters, Happy Feet, and Don Rua, and there will be food available to purchase. Saturday is the big gala day, some tickets are still available at €75 each. The day starts at 4.30pm and runs until 1.30am with entertainment by The Cuba Libre Salsa Band, Don Stiffe, The Davitt Showband, Fuaim Chonamana, The Marvels, and She’s Electric. You will also get chowder, half a dozen native oysters, seafood platter, and two glasses of wine. Filtered water is available everywhere, and tea and coffee. The Sunday event is from 1.30pm to 6pm and for €10 you can enjoy the rocking piano sounds of Carmel Dempsey with food available to purchase. Tickets for the Clarinbridge Oyster Festival events are available from (091) 796766.

Design for living at The Red Barn

Thu, Aug 11, 2011

The Red Barn has developed a style that is a blend of European traditional and American classic. The company’s design is a mixture of old and new, combined to give a classical and unique look that is relaxed and natural.

E-paper

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