Slapping and children

Thu, Oct 28, 2010

Research carried out on this topic has shown that the majority of parents would prefer to use non-physical ways of disciplining their children. Also, parents are keen to learn about other methods of discipline but often find it difficult to access this information.

Arguments for and against slapping

Lord Dunkellin’s statue

Thu, Oct 21, 2010

In 1873 this imposing statue was unveiled in Eyre Square in honour of Lord Dunkellin, son of Lord Clanricarde and heir to the family estates. He had a distinguished military career before being elected MP for Galway City in Parliament. He held the seat for eight years before being elected for the county in 1865. He died in 1867. There was a very large gathering in the Square on the day of the unveiling with lots of toasts and speeches. The sculpture was a very fine one by the distinguished artist John Henry Foley.

Architects - making their mark

Thu, Oct 21, 2010

Galway prides itself on being a medieval city. Thanks to some good development during the past 30 years or so, much of our ancient city landscape has been highlighted. Yet compared to Kilkenny, we are only at the tuppence-halfpenny stakes when it comes to physical history. But one new building in particular has done more than anything else to highlight the beginning of commercial Galway, and the growth of the town. I am referring to that deceptively simple projection of a 13th century Norman hall into the public domain at Druid Lane, off Quay Street. Designed by Michael Cadden at the Office of Public Works, using clean-lined modern architecture, the archaeological site is left as it was unearthed, and is presented behind a large glass wall. Uniquely the public is offered total immersion. Not only can we view the site, but there is provision for a public walkway over the site. But more of that in a moment.

Doctor, Doctor

Thu, Oct 21, 2010

Medical advice columnists in newspapers and magazines are inundated with queries. People too scared or embarrassed to approach their doctor about some worrying medical problem find it easier to put pen to paper and confide in a total stranger.

The Order of Malta in Galway

Thu, Oct 14, 2010

The Order of Malta was founded in the 12th century in Jerusalem to care for Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land and along pilgrimage routes through Christian Europe. Subsequently they were known as the Knights Hospitallers and when they came to Ireland they maintained hospitals for the sick, the poor, and the needy, and hostels for the use of travellers. The order is involved in many charitable activities, the most important being the administration of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps.

‘The sharpness of the factory girl’s tongue’

Thu, Oct 14, 2010

In the late 1980s a number of innovative ideas were introduced to industry and business, that cleared the runway for the Celtic Tiger take off. The one that made great sense, and had an energy about it, was the inventory strategy known as just-in-time. A Japanese idea that spread through Europe like a Spanish forest fire in a heat wave. Instead of stockpiling raw products for manufacture or for sale (with all the attendant headaches of storage costs, temperature, accounting, etc, etc,) the management skill was to wait until stocks were low, and then pick up the phone and make sure your supplier gave you exactly what you needed at the right time, in the right place, and the exact amount just-in-time. Suddenly, everyone was doing it. Suppliers were kept on their toes, trucks delivered through the night, and a bit of excitement was injected into the work place.

Excitement of a different kind was felt among the employees on the factory floor. Galway poet Rita Ann Higgins remembers when suddenly there were ‘jobs aplenty in Mervue Industrial Estate’. As a young girl, ‘when the only priority was washing the hair, and slapping on layers of makeup’, she rushed with all the others to join up. Soon she was hooked ‘on the chatter from the girls in the shirt factory, the stories about the boys and dance halls, and what went on in the backs of old cars after dances. The kissing stories, the telling-all stories. Someone was ‘such a ride’, someone else was ‘the town bike’. Factory lore was enhanced with nods and glances, and the internal rhythm of licentiousness was palpable. ‘In reply to the question, “What was he really like?” the ultimate put down was when a little finger was exhibited and crooked into the shape of a worm. The repartee from the factory girls was honed and blade-like. No nearby male was exempt from the sharpness of the factory girl’s tongue’.

College House, a brief history

Thu, Oct 07, 2010

This photograph was originally taken in 1983 as the corporation was preparing to knock down the high wall that ran around St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church and replace it with the railings that had surrounded Eyre Square… one of the better Quincentennial projects that helped improve the face of Galway.

A Yorkshire man in Galway

Thu, Oct 07, 2010

On October 22 1959 an unusual play opened at the Royal Court theatre, London; a theatre never afraid to be different. It had after all presented John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger* three years previously - a play which rocked the establishment, and transformed English drama for ever. The critics adored it, it played to full houses every night, and it made lots of money for everyone concerned.

John Wilson Croker - the Galwegian who invented conservatism

Thu, Sep 30, 2010

The Tory Party in Britain can count among its leaders Winston Churchill, Harold MacMillan, and Margaret Thatcher, and is now led by the Eton and Oxford educated David Cameron, who hails from Berkshire, a traditional Tory heartland.

Notes for the season

Thu, Sep 30, 2010

Accessories addicts out there know that bags always reflect the fashion of the season. This autumn/winter we are looking at everything from a good mix of sixties style ladylike handbags, to sophisticated seventies inspired totes, to cross-body bags, to satchels.

Castlegar Athletic Club, a brief history

Thu, Sep 30, 2010

The Castlegar Hurling Club ladies’ committee decided to hold a parish sports day on National Children’s Day, Sunday June 8 1975. They enlisted the help of Seán Duffy and Patsy Durnin in the organisation of the event, which turned out to be an outstanding success. As a result, they decided to enter a team of 40 athletes in the County Community Games. Seán Duffy organised training sessions twice a week, a banner and a set of green and white singlets were purchased, and there was great excitement as the big day approached. This excitement reached fever pitch when Ann Fahy won the gold medal in the girls’ under-14 100 metres, and Patricia Grealish brought home a bronze medal in the girls’ under-12 200 metres.

Not everybody liked Lady Gregory

Thu, Sep 30, 2010

I find it hard to imagine that not everyone liked Lady Augusta Gregory of Coole Park. What few readers there are of the Diary, I am told, sigh with exasperation when they see her name appear. They know that I will eulogise endlessly about how her home at Coole became a ‘workshop’ for writers, poets and artists during those exciting days at the beginning of the last century, leading to such remarkable talents as WB Yeats, John M Synge, Sean O’Casey and others to stand as giants on the European literary stage. She was the co-founder of the Abbey Theatre, its director and organiser during its shaky early days. She was a substantial playwright, journal keeper, folklorist, scholar, etc, etc, and, in my opinion, this amazing Galway woman never got the recognition she deserved.

How to wear autumn trends for plus sizes

Thu, Sep 30, 2010

Getting great autumn looks for a plus size can be difficult, and you often end up buying clothes because they fit rather than because they suit you and make you look good. Here are some hot ideas for plus size autumn trends:

David Martin — on your doorstep

Thu, Sep 30, 2010

David Martin, one of the city’s most established and well -respected salons, opened its second Galway city salon at Kingston Road (opposite Joyce’s supermarket) 22 months ago, and what a success it has been.

David Martin provides the ultimate in relaxation while professional hair stylists take care of your tresses. You can enjoy a shiatsu massage while your hair is being shampooed, or why not treat your hair to a personalised treatment and then relax under the new hair spa for 20 minutes — your hair and scalp will be left fully reinvigorated. Treatments are available for €20 extra, appointments are highly recommended to ensure the hair spa is available.

Change is good at the Townhouse Restaurant

Thu, Sep 30, 2010

The Townhouse Restaurant is located over the Townhouse Bar facing the Spanish Arch. It has had a couple of identity changes in the last year or two, and that normally does not bode well. However in this case I think they have come up with a formula that works, funky styling, the menu, food quality, and the prices. The décor is pretty hard to describe, but a cross between random retro and New York funky might be a rough guide. Where there was once the usual suspended spotlights, there is now a collection of every type of retro shade you could imagine and a really clever line of about 20 to 30 Heinz beans tins transformed into downlighters. The tables are definitely sixties and the unusual chairs are eyecatching and pleasantly comfortable. The music is similarly retro and well chosen.

Hi tech fitness for the time poor

Thu, Sep 30, 2010

BodySmart in Barna leads with the Power Plate as its key high tech equipment focus. Developed by NASA to help astronauts regain muscle tone and strengthen bone density after spending time in space without gravity, the device has incredible uses for the rest of us, according to Morgan Pierce, MD of BodySmart.

Galway Bay Half Marathon - what happens next?

Thu, Sep 30, 2010

Months, weeks, days of training have led up to the Galway Bay Half Marathon this weekend where sprightly runners will be togged out and ready to pound the pavements in aid of various charities, to beat personal challenges, or just for fun, but when it’s all over will you be hanging up your trainers?

Acupuncture as a treatment for pain relief

Thu, Sep 30, 2010

Acupuncture is a Chinese therapy that works miracles for different diseases, especially for relief of acute pain. According to traditional Chinese medical theory, there are energy pathways called meridians that flow through your body. A blockage of these pathways results in health related issues. When needles are inserted in the areas which influence the energy flow through the meridians this relieves the pain.

Learn the twelve commandments of love

Thu, Sep 30, 2010

Are you blessed with a lifelong loving intimate relationship? Sadly few of us are. Professor Harvey Wasserman, MD and director of the Galway Healing Road Psychotherapy Clinic, estimates that at most 10 per cent of committed relationships are excellent, 20 per cent are good, and the rest are in various states of numbness or misery. Professor Wasserman believes there are 12 commandments for happiness.

Turning our life around

Thu, Sep 30, 2010

Dr Eva Orsmond, who has become a household name, is probably best known for her role as RTE’s hugely popular Operation Transformation diet and nutrition expert. The programme sees a group of people put on a rigid diet and exercise programme in a bid to lose weight. But behind the scenes, Dr Eva’s battle to re-educate people on health fitness is changing hundreds of people’s lives every day.

E-paper

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