Love your colours

Thu, Oct 22, 2009

Part one

Transform your life

Thu, Oct 22, 2009

Many of us do not know what we want from life. We are not fully aware of ourselves and our needs. We operate on convenient autopilot, not quite happy or fulfilled but too tired or apathetic to make any real changes.

Transform your life - Tips

Thu, Oct 22, 2009

* “Remember life is an amazing adventure. Your attitude towards it creates your experiences.”

* Go for what ‘feels’ right not for what you ‘think’ is right for you.

Prospect Hill en fete in the 1960s

Thu, Oct 22, 2009

This photograph was taken by Helen Spellman in the early 1960s and shows Prospect Hill all decorated with banners and flags. There appears to be the beginnings of a religious procession at the very top of the hill, which presumably was the reason for all of the colour.

The strange case of Warden Bodkin’s hand...

Thu, Oct 22, 2009

In March 1838, workmen, under the supervision of a Mr Clare, were carrying out repairs on the vaults and tombs near the main altar of St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church. They made a remarkable discovery. A body, which had rested in a tomb for 129 years, had been discovered incorrupt. Incredibly it was the remains of the last Roman Catholic warden John Bodkin, who when handing over the keys of the church to Williamite soldiers, after the town’s surrender on July 26 1691, cried out in despair: “ My God, that my right hand may not decay until the key of this church be restored to its proper owners”.

Distorted views of the Claddagh in the 19th century

Thu, Oct 15, 2009

English travellers came to Ireland in great numbers during the 19th century, and Galway formed an important stop on the typical tour. The stopover invariably involved token visits to Lynch's Castle, St Nicholas' Collegiate Church, and Queen's College. A visit to the Claddagh was part of the complement of must-see places, and it eventually became one of the most written about sites in Ireland. Many of these commentators travelled the same routes, stayed in the same country houses or hotels and the resulting texts are frequently similar in both content and perspective. The sameness of description permeates many travel accounts and over the century, new information is rare.

Portrait of the writer as a young man

Thu, Oct 15, 2009

The great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas (Oct 27 1914 - Nov 9 1953) had absolutely no interest in school. He attended Swansea Grammar where his father, DJ Thomas, was the much feared English teacher. Both the boys and the staff were afraid of his temper, so much so that when Dylan, frequently bored with school, walked out murmuring that he was gong to write ‘bloody poetry’, if he met the headmaster on his way, the head would only nod, and say; “Don’t get caught, will you?”

In was amused to see that when the Galway writer Walter Macken was at the ‘Bish’ and asked to be excused from class for the toilet, Bro Leonard, who had a sense of humour and knew most of the boys hopped out for a ‘quick smoke’, would say: ‘Do you want a match Macs?’

Galway vintners

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

During the reign of Edward VI, when the Puritans controlled Galway, it was provided that “No man should keep an Ale House without being licensed, under penalty of three days imprisonment and a fine of twenty shillings”. It was added: “But because many Ale House keepers in those days were not able to pay that Forfeiture, and it was seldom levied by reasons of poverty, which made people unwilling to prevent the offenders.” Therefore a further punishment was added by statute during the reign of Charles I which not only inflicted the forfeiture of 20 shillings to the use of the poor, to be levied by the constable or church warden, by warrant of a justice before whom the offence was proved, and which distress may be sold three days afterwards; but it provided that if no distress could be taken, the justice should deliver the offender to the constable to be whipped. For the second offence, the offender was to be committed to the House of Correction for a month. A married woman who kept an ale house without licence made her husband liable for punishment.

Portrait of the writer as a young boy

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

Girls can be cruel. In 1921 Walter Macken was six years old, and in middle babies at the Presentation Convent school. ‘Middle Babies’ had to be a challenge for any six year old boy (who already saw himself as a pilot ‘flying’ through the lanes around St Joseph’s Avenue where he lived). Today the Pres has a thriving national school, in Walter’s time it was predominatly a renowned ‘Girls’ school. It did offer places to boys to a very junior level (you started in infants, then middle babies, and then first class), before the boys moved off to ‘The Bish’ or ‘The Jes’, Mary’s, or Endas.

My top style guide for jeans

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

Everyone should a have a couple of pairs of jeans in their wardrobe. They are so versatile and will take you effortlessly from day to evening.

If you are looking for jeans to suit your figure then look no further; I have the denim trends to suit your shape.

Autumn/winter trends from Style Plus

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

Autumn is here and it’s time to get out the warmer pieces that have been hiding in the back of your wardrobe since the end of April, and invest in a few key pieces to get you stylishly through the winter.

Da Tang — The Noodle House

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

The Noodle House is one of those Galway city eateries that seem to have built up a very, very, loyal set of customers, and many ex college students make it their first port of call when returning to Galway for a visit. If you are one of those who has not eaten there or indeed are wondering if it only serves noodles, I think I can whet your appetite and entice you to visit.

Da Tang — The Noodle House

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

The Noodle House is one of those Galway city eateries that seem to have built up a very, very, loyal set of customers, and many ex college students make it their first port of call when returning to Galway for a visit. If you are one of those who has not eaten there or indeed are wondering if it only serves noodles, I think I can whet your appetite and entice you to visit.

Plums

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

The food authority Waverly Root cites the plum as “one of the world’s most luscious fruits”. Indeed when juicy and ripe a fresh plum is a thing of culinary perfection. Plums are incredibly versatile and make the most stunning compotes which can be used as a base for tasty sauces, ice-creams, or accompaniments to both sweet and savoury foods. Duck roasted and served with plum sauce, plum compote with fresh vanilla ice-cream, or tangy plum compote served with a strong blue cheese — heaven.

There are a great many varieties of plum available and the colours of the plum can be as stunning as the taste of the fruit, ranging from deep blue through to bright purple and the all the way to vibrant yellow. Plums are closely related to cherries, so close in fact that a cherry could almost be categorised as a small plum.

The Western Hotel celebrates the opening of TK Maxx

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

The Western bar and restaurant, located next to the new TK Maxx store, will celebrate the shop's opening today (Thursday) by offering, for one week only, a special 10 per cent discount on lunches and dinners to all customers upon presentation of a TK Maxx store receipt.

Top tips to boost your children’s immunity

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

The children are back to school and parents and pupils are now settled into the routine of early mornings, school runs, lunches and homework.

Tunisia

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

At this time of year, many of you are planning your winter sun break and are wondering what options are open to you. In the travel trade, our winter sun seasons operates from November/December to the end of April and the short haul sun destinations on offer include Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Egypt, and Tunisia.

Home decorating weekend project

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

Here are some decorating project ideas that you can complete in a weekend or less. These are also the types of changes you could make in an apartment or house without risking too much.

Cases Wine Christmas fair

Thu, Oct 08, 2009

The Cases Wine Christmas Wine Fair will take place on Thursday November 5 at Cases Wine Warehouse on the Tuam Road. More than 120 wines from 20 importers will be available for tasting on the night, with the all proceeds going to the National Breast Cancer Research Institute. There will also be cheeses to sample from Seamus Sheridan and plenty of live music and craic. Last year’s event was a sell-out, raising more than €2,000 for Enable Ireland, and this year Peter Boland of Cases hopes to better that figure. Tickets for the fair cost €20 and the evening runs from 6.30pm to 10pm. For more details contact Cases at (091) 764 701, e-mail [email protected]

Winter coats for under €100

Thu, Oct 01, 2009

Winter coats are a must-have in every woman’s wardrobe. Now is the time to shop for a coat that will see you right through autumn and winter. I have picked out three winter warming coats for under €100.

My top tip: Find the cut and colour that will suit your shape and your complexion. Wear your coat open to slim you down and reveal you outfit underneath.

E-paper

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