Upper Abbeygate Street c1978

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

An old Galwegian gave us this photograph of Upper Abbeygate Street as seen from the corner of Market Street. In the late 1940s the building we see down at the end on the corner of Mary Street was Tommy Hopkins, victuallers. Opposite that, at the time, at the end of Abbeygate Street was Mrs Kemple’s house. Next door was Paul Heaney’s butcher shop; Moloney’s sweet shop; Barrett’s, Mrs Barrett had a cake making business; the Shapiros lived next door, and beside their house was an archway that led in to the back of the house; Ellie Carter and her brother were next; then Miko Cunningham’s sweet shop where he sold groceries as well. The next building was known as Carter’s Halls and among those who lived there were Mick Tuite, who was known only as ‘Shoots’, the Haynes family, Mary Anne O’Toole, Michael Melia, Chrissie Melia, Rose Anne Melia (these were Mary Anne’s children), Anthony Morris, Julia Murphy, Lizzie Hehir, Martin Cunniss, and Molly Hosty and her daughter.

‘Coming in from the cold’ at UCG

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Even the master of intrigue himself, John le Carré, would have been mystified at the bizarre challenges the late Labhrás Ó Nualláin was presented with when he applied for a lectureship in economics, commerce and accountancy (through Irish) at University College Galway in 1953.

How to drop a dress or trouser size in just a few weeks

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

When we think of losing weight, we put great emphasis on the clothes in our closet and that section that seems to have a tag saying ‘Need to lose weight to fit into this’.

The Coeliac Society launches Christmas survival guide

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Christmas is a food-focused time of year and for those on a gluten-free diet it may seem daunting. The Coeliac Society has published an invaluable Christmas survival guide to help coeliacs enjoy gluten-free festive fare.

The guide is packed full of hints and tips on hosting a coeliac guest, cooking a gluten-free feast, avoiding cross-contamination, and tried and tested festive favourite recipes.

Organic hair colour which is chemical free and outperforms the rest

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Natulique is the only Ecocert certified organic hair colour in the world and is taking Ireland by storm. Natulique was co-founded by Mette Bundgaard from Denmark, who, having been diagnosed with breast cancer in her twenties, found that there was no authentic certified organic hair colour brand on the market. Worried about the effects of chemicals in hair colour, she developed the Natulique range, which is organic, paraben free, DEA free, sulphate free, perfume free, vegan, and not tested on animals.

Get your winter skincare right with Beyond Beauty

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

The temperatures outside are dropping, which in turn means the temperatures in our homes are going up. We spend our days going in and out of shops and cars, blasting our skin with heat, then going back outside to the wind and rain.

Party season style

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

The party season has started and boutiques and shops have amped up party wear with a high glam factor. Expect to see an abundance of sparkle and shimmer, lace, dark florals, and velvet.

Wide range of suites available at An Siopa Troscan, Moycullen

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

See the full range of quality Irish manufactured suites, where all the suites can be made to order, at An Siopa Troscan in Moycullen. The full range of styles covers everything from contemporary to traditional.

Interior design gift vouchers at La Maison Chic

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Interior design is not just for Christmas. La Maison Chic is now offering a choice of gift vouchers, helping you to find the perfect presents for your loved ones.

Top o’ the morning at McGettigan’s

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

Eyre Square has undergone a metamorphosis in recent times. Before where dining options were few and far between, now there is an embarrassment of riches. At the station-end visit Jungle Cafe to sample some excellent Badger and Dodo coffee, the Gaslight at the Meyrick is always a pleasure, or An Pucán, always the craic. At the opposite end of the Square we have Cafe Express with stuffed sandwiches and thick crust pizzas, and Eyre Street Steakhouse for possibly the best wings in Galway. Poppyseed and many other dependable cafes have sprung up around Eyre Street providing all sorts of diverse lunch and dinner menus and light snacks. Elsewhere around the Square, Petit Pois does casual French bistro with charm and you can even have a Michelin Star experience in the area by popping into Loam.

Margaret’s Loaf makes it onto the shelves of Aldi stores nationwide

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

The winning bread in this year's National Brown Bread Making Competition is now available for sale in Aldi for €1.49 a loaf.

Enjoy tasty food and a great atmosphere at Foley’s Hop House, Woodquay

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

There has been an exciting new addition to the night time entertainment offering in Woodquay with the arrival of Foley's Hop House.

Wherever 2016 brings you, be sure to get there with award winning Fahy Travel Worldchoice

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

I think we all agree that summer 2015 was non existent...the endless rain and dreary weather could be what we can expect of our summer months thanks to climate change. Don’t get left behind next year — book early to get the best value for money for a summer holiday where you are guaranteed sun and fun for all the family.

The egg and butter market in Woodquay

Thu, Dec 03, 2015

This photograph was taken about the year 1900 and shows part of the market at the corner of Woodquay and Eyre Street. The derelict gable we see in the background was later developed as Creaven’s boot shop. It was subsequently occupied by O’Connor TV, then became a florists run by Brian O’Malley, and today is Richard Hughes’ opticians.

Why Irish women are on the borderline of lunacy!

Thu, Dec 03, 2015

Poor Irish women. The journey from Peig Sayers to Miriam O’ Callaghan has not been an easy one, and for many women simply unattainable. While in that time, men have found new confidence in the worlds of business, science, sport, teaching and the professions (even having the confidence to wreck the country in a spectacular fashion, as they did some years ago), women, in a patriarchal society, are still struggling to find their own expression, to escape the dominance of the Catholic Church, and, in the views of author Emma Comerford, ‘to control the tendency towards alcohol abuse and other manifestations of low self-esteem’.

It is a serious matter. Recently we have all read the stories of women seeking equality in the boardroom, the Dáil and the Seanad; and an appropriate acknowledgement for their role in our history. Even to secure a place on the stage of the national theatre, which was originally founded by a Galway woman, the great Lady Augusta Gregory, has been difficult, if not impossible. And much more.

Festive afternoon tea at the Meyrick

Thu, Dec 03, 2015

The Parlour at the Meyrick has long been popular as a meeting place for coffee, lunch, or afternoon tea. While the room adjacent to it has been transformed in recent times into The Gaslight, one of Galway’s hottest spots, a vibrant city centre venue for dinner or drinks, The Parlour still retains all of its old world charm.

Get the party started at Claregalway Hotel

Thu, Dec 03, 2015

Ahhh Claregalway! Who among us has not sat in traffic there at least once? Like most small towns it has a good takeaway and a cosy cafe, but it is Tì Cusacks Bar and Restaurant in The Claregalway Hotel that is my preferred escape from the traffic in this bustling little spot. The hotel is located in the heart of the picturesque village and just across the Clare River from the historic Claregalway Abbey.

The first co-ed class in the Jes

Thu, Nov 26, 2015

St Ignatius College’ on Sea Road opened its doors for the first time in 1862. The Jesuits built a residence and a church at the same time and the move proved to be a success for them. Attendances at Mass and ceremonies grew rapidly. The college, however, was more of a challenge. The boys ranged in age from nine to 13 and the subjects taught included mathematics, Latin, Greek, and elocution. The numbers at first were as expected. They grew steadily to 90 in 1865 and reached 110 by 1874, but they began to fall thereafter and were inconsistent from year to year. The number recorded for 1899 was 49. 

The Sheridans, and the ‘human connection to our land’

Thu, Nov 26, 2015

One of the great business success stories in Galway has to be the rise and rise of the Sheridan brothers, who began selling cheese from a small stall at the Saturday market, to become a national brand, with products selling in major British food stores, and across the continent.

Festive fun at The Western Restaurant

Thu, Nov 26, 2015

The Western Hotel, bar, and restaurant is a family owned establishment in the heart of Galway city, conveniently located only two minutes from Eyre Square. 

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