Bring your home to life with Western Postform

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

In the current economic climate and with the house market becoming increasingly competitive, there has never been a better time to update and invest in your home. Whether you have bought a new home and want to give it a little personal charm, are selling your home and feel it needs that extra something to make it shine, or if you just feel like it is time for an update, bring your home to life with Western Postform, the Galway based company that offers top quality kitchens and bedrooms at prices that won’t be beaten.

Taps that run like Clock Work

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

If your bathing routine requires precision, the efficiency of the new wall mounted Clock Work collection from Ritmonio is sure to tick all your boxes.

home ground

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Since I spoke to you last week I hope that you have been busy gardening and enjoying all that the autumn/early winter has to offer in the garden. Remember that gardening should be hobby and not a chore.

The wind has rattled a lot of trees and shrubs this year so there is quite a lot of cleaning up to be done out there. A little bit like clearing up after the party has ended and the guests have gone home, if you like. Once fed and watered, they have left and you have to roll up your sleeves and sort out the debris. Think of the good times and enjoyment that the garden has given you all summer (a bit like the fun at the party) while you are out there in the cold, raking and sweeping.

A street scene in Galway, 1835

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Some weeks ago we reproduced a painting by William Evans of Eton College in this column. It was a colourful scene painted at the back of the Spanish Arch in 1835. Today’s image was painted in watercolour over pencil and heightened with body colour in that same year and was entitled “A Street Scene in Galway”.

The last stand of ‘spirited’ Caroline Blake

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Week II

The Oliver St John Gogarty Literary Festival

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Poets, writers, discussions, music and workshops feature in the second Gogarty literary festival to be held in Renvyle House Hotel this weekend. Poets Michael O’Loughlin, Gerald Dawe, John O’Donnell and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill will give readings, Dr Nicola Gordon Bowe will give a talk on the famous stained glass artist Harry Clarke, there will be a guided tour to Tullycross church to see the Harry Clarke windows there; a talk by Jim Carney on Louis Mac Neice and Omey Island, and lots more.

Style Counsel

Thu, Oct 30, 2008

Q: I love clothes shopping but I’m a lot more conscious of my spending since the economic downturn. Have you any tips for looking good on a tighter budget?

Littlewoods Ireland does Gothic chic

Thu, Oct 30, 2008

Autumn winter ’08 is all about dark colours and gothic looks at Littlewoods Ireland.

Natural Serenity winner

Thu, Oct 30, 2008

The winner of a makeover, and bareMinerals make up and eye starter kits courtesy of Natural Serenity is Kirsty Talty, Quin, Co Clare.

Abalone comes to Abalone

Thu, Oct 30, 2008

It is no secret that Abalone restaurant in Dominick Street is one of my favourite restaurants, so I was very happy to accept an invitation from the chef proprietor, Alan Williams, to taste his first ever delivery of fresh abalone. What makes this fresh abalone really special is that it is 100 per cent Irish produced. It comes from Cape Clear, and if you are an avid watcher of RTE you may have seen a documentary showing how the owner Martin O’Mealoid was bringing his live abalone to the kitchens of two of the most famous eateries in London, The Dorchester and that coolest of cool sushi restaurant, Nobu.

Blackberry and apple crumble with Coole Swan Anglaise

Thu, Oct 30, 2008

This delicious dessert from Coole Swan is the perfect pudding for winter evenings.

home ground

Thu, Oct 30, 2008

The gardening year is moving along nicely and hopefully you have been keeping busy, gardening that is!

I am glad to see that the edible garden is coming back into fashion. Much of the new found interest in vegetable and fruit gardening is no doubt due to our keen regard for health and environmental issues and of course the mounting cost of the weekly shopping. We are what we eat.

An Fuarán Moycullen, for all your house and home needs

Thu, Oct 30, 2008

Looking for the perfect newly built home to tastefully decorate, or looking to tastefully decorate an existing home? Then why not visit An Fuarán in Moycullen village. An Fuarán has everything and more to offer customers who are interested in the house and home.

The American Hotel, Eyre Square, c1940

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

The O’Sullivan family first came to Eyre Square in 1765. They took over a thatched house which had been rented by a family named Glynn from their landlord, who was one of the Eyres. The premises has been in the O’Sullivan family since. They set up a bar and grocery business, and it seems they always had rooms to let. By the time this photograph was taken c1940, they also had a travel agency which represented the Holland America Line, the Cunard White Star Line and the Greek Line (there were not too many commercial flights then). It was obviously the reason why they called the premises ‘The American Hotel’. It turned out to be an astute choice of name as they always had a lot of American guests.

Dick Byrne - The man who brought light to Mayo

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

Terrible punishments awaited young transgressors in the Ireland of the 1950s. If a boy mitched from school he could end up in Letterfrack, the notorious so called industrial school, run by the Christian Brothers. It was a type of borstal, where, for almost a century, troubled boys were brutally chastened and subdued. Its grim, grey buildings still stand today, and if you pass them on a wet Connemara day, you wonder about the boys who were sent there from cities and towns around Ireland. Despite its change of usage to one of the foremost craft training centres in the country, it still looks a sad place to me. But back in the 50s and 60s its name struck terror in the hearts of most boys and youths. I remember seeing a boy handcuffed to a policeman sitting on the Dublin train. Word was whispered around the carriage that the boy was from Letterfrack. We all stared at him as if the poor fellow was an alien.

B&Q Galway celebrates successful first year

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

October 25 2007 saw the eagerly anticipated opening of Galway’s newest and largest home improvement store when B&Q opened its doors at the Gateway Retail Park in Rahoon.

One year on, the store continues to offer a selection of products and services that is unique in Galway. The many thousands of customers who have passed through the doors in that time have found a huge range of real value for money kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms on display, as well as in-store consultants offering a free design service. Other areas of the store provide a vast range of home improvement products for any part of your house, inside or out. From paint mixed to any colour you want, to garden sheds for keeping your tools safe and in good condition.

gardening with Anne McKeon

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

Well here we are again with another week’s gardening over and a busy week in prospect. I hope that you have been taking advantage of the intermittent spells of good weather because I feel that so much useful gardening work can be done in the autumn winter period. If you get it right at this time of year you can save yourself a lot of hardship in the spring.

Twenty ways to declutter your home

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

Do you find it difficult to close your cupboards, get around your bedroom without tripping or find important documents in a hurry?

Bits, bites, and bargains

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

This week is a collection of foodie comments and news that may be of interest.

Pork and Bramley bake

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

This one-pot supper is perfect for families. The magical combination of pork and Bramley apples turns a simple supper into a real treat. Plus, using only one pot reduces the washing up, so everyone should be happy!

E-paper

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