Can Ming the Merciless save our turf cutting heritage?

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

I have been watching the progress of Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan with some amusement, and admiration for a number of years. Amusement because of his long running campaign to legalise cannabis, which has to be a no-hoper. He has been convicted on several occasions for possession of the drug, but undaunted, he sent a beautifully rolled cannabis cigarette to every politician in the Oireachtas as part of his campaign, pleading for them to enjoy a smoke, inhale deeply, and support his cause. That man doesn’t know the meaning of ‘no’.

Hot Yoga for health and fitness

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Hot Yoga was introduced to Galway in 2005 by Galway native Tracy O’Mahoney and it has now established itself as the west of Ireland’s leading yoga studio.

A relic of old world charm

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Our image today is of an original drawing done in 1958 by Belfast artist Raymond Piper (now deceased) of the beautiful staircase in the Great Southern Hotel. When one entered the hotel, the reception desk was to the left, there was a small corridor leading to the dining room on the left, and another leading to the bar on the right. Just past these was a comfortable lounge area, and at the end of this was this magnificent staircase leading to reception rooms upstairs, and directly to the station platform.

Seniors’ lifestyle event coming to the Radisson Blu

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

A lifestyle event designed to be informative, educational, and upbeat and which aims to address older people’s needs, interests, and concerns is coming to the Radisson Blu Hotel this Saturday and Sunday.

Called the Senior Times Over 50s Show, the event will cover a number of areas of interest to older people in the west including health, hobbies and pastimes ideas (including free golf lessons, bridge workshops, and gardening clinics), home and abroad holidays, home security, and government/statutory entitlements.

Flower power

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Feminine florals are one of the key looks for summer, according to Anthony Ryan’s spring/summer fashion show.

Slip into a floral printed dress and embrace the coming season with aplomb. Take a cue from the international catwalks and work a variety of prints into your wardrobe from the exotic to the demure.

Women's spring 2011 accessory trends

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

After addressing the season’s key looks and clothing trends, Debbie Norman, manager of BORN clothing in Newtownsmith — winner of Galway’s Best Fashion Retailer 2010 — outlines the key accessory trends for spring/summer 2011.

Cosmetic trends

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

If you ever want to know what the very latest trends in cosmetics are, swing by the MAC counter in Brown Thomas. New on counter at the minute is the Wonder Woman collection, complete in comic book style packaging. It includes the supersized mineralised skin finish, eyeshadows, lipsticks, and powder blushers. Readers of this column will not be at all surprised to know my favourite item in this collection is the Reflex Glitter, in pearl and bronze. Though a plain and simple girl in most ways, and already owning four Bobbi Brown shimmer brinks, I could not resist this glitter. I tend to think glitter has mystical powers and improves all circumstances. This one is unreal. It can be used over a creamy eye shadow to add dimension or over cream blush to highlight. The sparkles practically dance on the skin, I love it. If you are baring your shoulders you can dust it over the tops of your arms (when a MAC make up artist suggests you to go sparingly, you know you may have gone a bridge to far with it in the past).

Kate’s Orantown Centre and choosing a good oil

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Kate Wright has moved from her Cobblestones Cafe in Quay Lane, Galway, to a location upstairs in the Orantown Centre in Oranmore. A courageous move, I would think, but I am sure the legendary high rents in the city have something to do with it. Similar to the article last week about the new owners in Loughrea, these premises have also had two previous incarnations. The fact that Kate makes absolutely everything on site every day should make the difference and help make this a success.

Modern Homes & Building Exhibition returns to Galway next month

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Galway Modern Homes & Building Exhibition will return next month to provide ideas, advice and inspiration for those building, extending, or improving their homes. The show will take place in Leisureland on Friday April 1 from 6pm to 10pm, and on Saturday April 2 and Sunday April from 12 noon to 6pm.

For those applying for planning permission or looking for the products, services, and advice to complete their home, the trade professionals will be on hand at the show to guide them through their needs. There will be a multitude of professionals from the building, construction, and related sectors, all under one roof at the exhibition. When planning a new home or looking to make practical changes to your existing home, information is power and insight is a necessity. The Galway Modern Homes & Building Exhibition can offer you the opportunity to discover a wealth of expert advice and guidance, giving a strong foothold to any building endeavour.

Marvin Architectural to host design open day this weekend

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Windows and doors specialist Marvin Architectural will host experts in areas such as interior design and architecture at its design open day, taking place at its showrooms in Liosban Retail Park this Saturday.

More than somewhere to park the car

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

With so much focus on outdoor living, the days when driveways were simply a place to park the car are now well gone. The design and style of driveways mean they can now transform your property, making a real statement and creating that much sought after wow factor. Investing in the great outdoors is now so important as people are improving their existing homes rather than moving.

The time that Máirtín Plásán was best man at the wedding

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

“They’re coming. They’re coming, look! They’re coming at last,” said old John Larry. “ Look at them down in Leighleitir”... “ Who’s winning?” said Micilín Deaid, “It’s not our giorrán by any chance?” “No, I don’t think so,” said another. “There’s a black one in front with a white star”.... “ Come on Garrai Gamhain!” shouted one. “ Come on Leamhcoill!” roared another. “ Up Leitir Í! Said a few young lads. “ Come on Cnoc ar Eas Thoir!” answered others.

Largest ever range of ladies’ fashions at Standún

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

Standún is now open after its winter break and has its best ever range of spring/summer fashion this year in all departments.

Top stylists are waiting for you at David Martin

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

Since opening in 2008, David Martin hair salon at Kingston Road has proved to be a huge success. This is the second salon opened in Galway by the David Martin group, the first situated at New Dock Street.

Spring trends in lingerie available at Change

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

There are two big trends in lingerie and lounge wear this season — romanticism and graphic purity.

Acupressure — needle free therapy helps energy flow freely

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

Acupressure is a Chinese method of healing that has been practised for some 3,000 years and which works on the meridians, energy channels that run in a network through the body. In a healthy body, the ‘chi’, or essential energy, flows freely and evenly through the meridians. When blockages occur, the body becomes unbalanced, chi is trapped, and disease occurs.

Galway people urged to send recipes for inclusion in book

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

International health guru Udo Erasmus is inviting Galway people to send him their healthy recipes. He plans to publish a free Irish healthy recipe booklet later this year and hopes to include at least one recipe from each county.

The creator of Udo’s Choice® Ultimate Oil Blend, he says the authors of the chosen recipes will share a prize fund worth €4,600.

Taste Matters in Loughrea

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

A friend of mine who has a good sense of taste and a keen eye for a bargain (he is a canny Scotsman) suggested I should join him for lunch some day to sample the food from the above-mentioned eatery at The West Bridge in Loughrea. I had eaten there before under two different owners and had noticed it was lying empty for a while.

Brunch time jazz at Sweetie Pies

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

Enjoy brunch to the relaxing sounds of the new resident jazz vocalist and guitarist at Sweetie Pies on Sunday mornings.

The unique vibe in Sweetie Pies will be even more enjoyable with this extra touch. A small sample of what's on the menu is French toast served with sausage, bacon, pudding, and tomato relish, homemade pancakes with chocolate sauce and cream, gourmet sandwiches, pizzas, and of course all those fabulous cakes.

Now is the time to invest in the perfect outside space

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

If you have decided to invest in transforming the outside of your home, now is the best time of the year to get started.

E-paper

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