The fire at Menlo Castle

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

Menlo Castle was the ancestral home of the Blakes. The family lived there from around 1600 to 1910. The castle was strategically positioned and was occupied for some time by the Cromwellians. The villagers of Menlo were tenants of the Blakes. ‘Maying in Menlo’ was a great Galway tradition where the Blake family opened their grounds to the public as a venue for all kinds of sports and athletics, yachting, tennis, rowing, music, and dancing. Boats from Woodquay and Long Walk brought patrons up the river; sweet vendors were working day and night preparing sugar sticks and sweet-pipes which were sold in colours of red and white at a halfpenny each; the cries of different vendors of eatables and drinks rent the air, “Cider a penny a glass, Guinness 3d a pint.” Puritans and temperance fanatics were unknown, hawkers and showmen were a plenty. The various tents extended from the river to the schoolhouse in the village. The women in the enclosure with their sunshades and mid-Victorian costumes looked beautiful, while villagers and colleens with shoulder shawls and neat pinafores were the picture of comeliness.

High fashion and low prices at Sorelle

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

Sorelle Boutique is situated in the bustling village of Oranmore. This locally owned ladies’ clothes store is extremely popular throughout the city and county with many travelling outside the city centre to get their hands on something a little different to the offerings of high street stores. The price tag is also extremely reasonable offering well tailored designer labels at prices that are a match for the high street too.

Owned by sisters Orla and Maeve Grealy, this stylish boutique stocks a combination of affordable world famous designer labels including Easy Comfort, Fran and Jane, Ebene, Evalinka, Fred Sabatier, My Way, and Oks. Sorelle also stocks a wide range of bags, headpieces, and jewellery.

How to buy less and wear more

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

There is nothing more frustrating than buying clothes that end up in the back of the wardrobe because they do not flatter you, you have nothing to wear them with, or do not know how to wear them. As we become more conscious about spending money, it is time to make the right decisions when shopping for clothes.

Barbecue tips and ideas

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

Now that we seem to be getting some reasonable weather most people will be hoping to have a barbecue, or indeed several barbecues. There are two major problems with this great idea; the weather and cooking the food perfectly for you and your guests. An open sided gazebo will help with the vagaries of the weather as it can act as a shield against the blazing sun or provide shelter from a shower. As far as getting the cooking right, the single best advice is to precook most of the items. I was invited to a barbecue recently by one of the top chefs in Galway and I asked him for some tips on how to get it right.

Cases of fun at annual charity barbecue

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

Cases wine warehouse has teamed up with Enable Ireland to host an annual charity barbecue at Cases wine warehouse on the Tuam Rd on Friday July 17.

Sizzling summer at the Dáil

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

The Dáil bar is celebrating summer with some very tasty special offers. A little taste of a Mexico is being presented by a sizzling fajita deal, with a choice of chicken or vegetarian filling, and accompanied by a free beer or glass of wine for €12.95.

The Dail also has a selection of daily specials to complement its a-a-carte menu. With an aim to cater to all tastes, specials are constantly changed and adapted to suit the season. With specials starting a €5.95 and a selection of sandwiches and lighter bites you are guaranteed to find something.

Ten ways to lose fat without even trying

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

Fat loss does not have to be painful. Try these simple tips and see just how easy it can be.

Warm Asian tuna salad with pickled ginger and fresh coriander, served with sushi rice

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

This delicious salad comes from Kylemore. Fresh tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, offering a boost to heart health as well as improving concentration and memory.

The colours of happiness: Decorate your home in French Provençal style

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

When you think of Provence and the French countryside, you imagine lavender fields and bright sunshine. While there are many elements that contribute to the French country style of decorating, the resulting look is always rustic, old-world, and welcoming. The look fits well into any country house or city home with a garden.

The colours of happiness: Decorate your home in French Provençal style

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

When you think of Provence and the French countryside, you imagine lavender fields and bright sunshine. While there are many elements that contribute to the French country style of decorating, the resulting look is always rustic, old-world, and welcoming. The look fits well into any country house or city home with a garden.

TG Interiors reveals new curtain range and continues blind scrappage scheme

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

TG Interiors Acme Blinds Loughrea has just launched its new range of curtain fabrics with over 1500 new samples now in stock. The owners looked at what was on offer in the market place and have gone for an exclusive range of fabric that is not stocked by any other retailer in Galway. Brand names such as Olivier Thevenon, Fine, Vision, Kurage, Clair Fonce and Wind to name a few. Customers can avail of TG’s free quotation and measuring service, whether for curtains or blinds — and they also provide a curtain making and alteration service.

Customers can also avail of its advice on interior design of their house or apartment from its fully qualified in-store interior designer.

Miss Waterford Universe launches southeast show

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

South East Garden Show and Modern Homes and Building Exhibition was launched recently by Samantha Stacey, Miss Waterford Universe 2008. The show starts Friday July 17 at Powerstown Park racecourse, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, and runs for three days.

Coping well with a cancer diagnosis

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

A cancer diagnosis comes as a major shock to many people. Suddenly, their lives are turned upside down as they attempt to take in the news and understand the various treatments available.

“People’s first reactions when told they have cancer are shock and fear,” explains Dr Helen Greally, the director of psychology and support services at Cancer Care West - the local charity which supports people affected by a cancer diagnosis. “It is often called the ‘Big C’ because to most people it seems unmanageable and the treatment options seem frightening.”

The mighty men of Menlo

Thu, Jul 02, 2009

July 4 1929 was an important day in the history of rowing in this country, and particularly in this part of the country, because that was the day that Emmetts Rowing Club from Menlo brought the first senior eights championship trophy to Galway. Almost all the members of the crew were native Irish speakers and all lived locally and worked by the river. During a very wet spring when they could do very little farmwork, someone suggested to them that as boatmen, if they were all put into a racing eight, they would be able to take on any crew.

Gardens and history roll into one at Woodville

Thu, Jul 02, 2009

Once off the duel-motorway at Athlone, the traffic on our main roads is often so heavy that if I have time, I will take a country road home. Loughrea’s welcome new by-pass makes a visit to that old busy town now worthwhile, and easy. Its difficult to pass St Brendan’s Cathedral, and its magnificent Celtic stained glass windows and sculpture, without a visit. And then, take the Gort road to Galway. On a glorious summer afternoon, the hedgerows are bursting with white blackberry blossom, wild irises, fuchsia, honeysuckle and foxglove. I was looking for Woodville House and its newly opened walled garden, but ruined cut-stone walls, and high gates reminded me that here, in this corner of Galway, poor tenant farmers stood up to the powerful Marquis of Clanricarde to own the land they worked on. The so-called Land War was fought nowhere more fierce, nor attracted more world wide publicity than on the Clanricarde estates in Portumna, Woodford, Eyrecourt and surrounding areas.

Not all landlords were bad, but Clanricarde was the archetypical landlord scoundrel. He was described as having a miserly personality, eccentric and reclusive, with a fundamental inability to compromise or adapt to changing circumstances in Irish society at the time. He lived in London. It was said that he only once visited his Portumna castle, and that was for his father’s funeral in 1874. Even for the time his estates were vast. They stretched from Lough Derg to Galway. He was ruthless in dealing with any tenant who couldn’t pay his rent. There is a famous letter he wrote on January 29 1881 in reply to the argument by his land agent John Blake* that some tenants were simply too poor to pay. Clanricarde refused to allow any leniency. He pointed out, that: ‘Unless husbandmen can afford to plant something better than stones (or bad potatoes which are as useless as stones) they are not fit to be tenant farmers.’

Dress for success

Thu, Jul 02, 2009

Are you searching for the perfect debs dress? If so, check out Dresscode, the Irish eveningwear brand recently launched at Anthony Ryan’s store in Shop Street.

Shaving graces

Thu, Jul 02, 2009

If shaving is a chore for the man in your life a new gift set from REN skincare may help. The kit features some of the company’s best selling unisex products in addition to the exclusively designed men’s “Perfect 3 Step Shaving System” product range.

Sneeze no more

Thu, Jul 02, 2009

If you suffer from hayfever - the most common allergic disease in Ireland - and are looking for a natural treatment check out Allerclear, a herbal remedy which costs less than €10.

Skin deep

Thu, Jul 02, 2009

Men suffering from tight, sensitive skin are advised to avoid soap or products not formulated for sensitive skin.

Getting lippy

Thu, Jul 02, 2009

Lip gloss is perfect for the ultimate feminine pout but sometimes women want more shine to bring their lips to life.

E-paper

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