Caitlin and life with the Johns

Thu, Nov 20, 2014

The four Macnamara children, John, Nicolette, Brigit and Caitlin, when abandoned by their father, must have sought some stability from their mother Yvonne. But she was distracted by her passion for Nora Summers, and was just not available. Instead they were scooped up by the artist Augustus John, and his mistress Dorelia McNeil, and, saying good-bye to Doolin, were brought to live in his rambling red-brick home in Dorset. At the end of a sweep of gravel, lost in rhododendrons and trees, Alderney Manor was surrounded by miles of moorland. It was an ideal and happy playground for young children.

Eleventh annual McCambridge’s Food and Wine Fair to take place next week

Thu, Nov 13, 2014

McCambridge’s of Shop Street will celebrate its 11th annual Food and Wine Fair on Thursday November 20 at the Salthill Hotel from 6pm to 10pm.

Proceeds from this year’s event will go to support the work of Pieta House, along with local schools Galway Educate Together, Dominican College, St Joseph’s College ‘The Bish’, Scoil Iognáid, Coláiste Iognáid, Lakeview School, Briarhill National School, and Coláiste na Coiribe. Tickets are available from McCambridge’s and all eight schools, and will be available on the door, at €20.

Loam — Galway dining redefined

Thu, Nov 13, 2014

By and large Galway does not like fine dining. White table cloths, fine linens, and silverware don’t appeal to our Bohemian tendencies. Elaborate five hour, three-figure, hushed meals make us collectively regress to our inner toddler, wanting to smear our foie gras and veloute around. That is not to say we don't enjoy fine food, we just like it in a more lively environment. Galwegians, and those who are drawn to settle here, are comfortable in the easy elegance of Kai, the relaxed charm of Il Vicolo, or propping up the bar upstairs in Sheridan’s — any place with that touch of novelty, eccentricity, and fun. In recent times, it seems the rest of the world is coming round to our point of view. There is a shift in the industry from formal and traditional establishments towards a style of low-key dining, both nationally and internationally. Now that chefs are busy opening pizza joints and noodle bars, the days seem numbered for fancy dining rooms and yet that is exactly what has just happened.

The Auxiliaries in Galway

Thu, Nov 13, 2014

As the guerrilla war attacks by the Irish Volunteers on the RIC began to escalate in 1919, the British government recruited World War I veterans as a complementary force to the RIC. It advertised for men willing “to face a tough and dangerous task”. These were the Black and Tans. A further campaign was launched to recruit former army officers who were specifically formed into counter insurgency units known as the Auxiliaries or ‘The Auxies’. They wore distinctive ‘Tam O’Shanter’ caps. One of these units, D Company, was stationed in Lenaboy Castle and in ‘The Retreat’ in Salthill.

Stormy summers on the Clare coast

Thu, Nov 13, 2014

One of the most interesting hotels in Ireland is the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, Co Clare. Apart from its spectacular setting overlooking the River Inagh as it cascades over wide ledges almost immediately outside its door, this distinctive building conceals within its walls an 18th century mansion, and a late medieval castle. It was the home of the one-time wealthy Macnamaras, landlords of vast Clare territories. The last of the clan to hold any real status was Henry Valentine Macnamara (known as Henry Vee), the High Sheriff of Co Clare, and a character to be reckoned with. One December morning in 1919, Henry Vee and friends (who included a British army officer and a Lady Beatrice O’Brien), set out in a convoy of cars for a woodcock shoot in the Burren.

O’Beirn’s Pharmacy, Henry Street

Thu, Nov 06, 2014

Our photograph today is of the Galway Committee of the Pharmaceutical Union who organised a national conference of their peers here in the early 1960’s. They are, back row; Paul Hayes, Lydon’s Pharmacy; Gussie Hayes, Portumna; Tommy Farmer a medical rep and also a qualified pharmacist who lived and worked out of Devon Park. In front are Eibhlín Ó Beirn, Ó Beirn’s Pharmacy, Henry Street; Mary Breen; Mary Barry who worked in Merlin Park; Judy Walsh, Spiddal; Síle Ó Beirn, Henry Street; Laura Cunniffe, William Street and Salthill.

Was James Hack Tuke the Oskar Shindler of his day?

Thu, Nov 06, 2014

A surprising rescuer of the Tuke assisted emigration scheme from the west of Ireland came from the London government. After the first group of 1,315 people had sailed from Galway for America on April 28 1882, the Tukes’ emigration fund was practically exhausted. Yet the demand for places grew each day. Now more than 6,000 applications, mainly from the Clifden area, but also from Belmullet, Newport and Oughterard, poured into the Clifden union where James Hack Tuke had his office. While poverty and famine remained endemic in the west of Ireland, people with spirit must have felt that the day-to-day grind was never ending. The threat of another Great Famine was very real. They wanted a new life.

There was also a growing realisation within government that the provision of relief only was not the long-term solution to the problems of failed harvests, poverty and evictions. Assisted emigration at least gave some people a chance for a fresh start. Matters were at a standstill until Lord Spencer, the lord lieutenant of Ireland, came to Galway and Mayo in that summer. He witnessed first hand the congestion and destitution, and talked to Tuke about his emigration endeavours. Spencer was clearly impressed. As a result the government granted £100,000 to the scheme, and more was to follow. As well as contributions from benefactors, Tuke was back in business. Until the scheme ended in 1884, a bare three years in duration, about 9,500 people were helped to emigrate to America and Canada.

New menus and decor, but the same great quality at Season’s

Fri, Oct 31, 2014

For new menus, updated decor, and a taste sensation that is not to be missed, it has to be Mulroy’s Gastro Pub, Main Street, Castlebar.

An Púcán, a great addition to the east side

Thu, Oct 30, 2014

Many crimes against food are committed by pubs claiming the dubiously desirable title of 'gastro'. Carefully sourced artisan produce are carelessly piled into sub-standard baps. Bags of breaded mushrooms and nuggets are pulled from the freezer, deep fried, and shovelled onto local organic leaves, melting them to pondweed. A sandwich of home baked ham with a fine Irish cheese will sit on the same plate as the mass produced claggy coleslaw from the catering tubs. The intention is there, but the Devil, as they say, is in the detail.

James Hack Tuke and his plan to assist emigration from west of Ireland

Thu, Oct 30, 2014

The agricultural crisis of 1879, and growing civic unrest, prompted the Society of Friends in England to send James Hack Tuke to the west to inquire into conditions and to distribute relief. Tuke, the son of a well-to-do tea and coffee merchant family in York, England, published his observations in Irish Distress and its Remedies: A visit to Donegal and Connaught in the spring of 1880. In clear-cut language he highlighted the widespread distress and destitution at a time when the British government questioned the extent of the crisis.

The game of conkers

Thu, Oct 30, 2014

In the days before television, computers, or iPads, children often had to be inventive to amuse themselves. When it came to street games they were well able to use their imaginations as they played games like Jackstones, O’Grady Says Do This, Tops, Queenie Queenie, Rover Red Rover, One Two Three Redlight, Jack Jack Show the Light, London Bridge is Falling Down, Cad, skipping, hobbies, marbles, and slides (in winter). Another traditional seasonal game, usually played in September, October, and November, was ‘conkers’ using the seeds of horse chestnut trees. The term conker applies to the tree as well as the seed and there are several theories as to where the name came from. The nut is found in a prickly case which falls from the tree. It is drilled using a nail, sometimes a compass (be careful not to stick yourself!), and then a piece of string is run through it with a knot tied at one end to secure the conker.

Galway Restaurant Week — a seven day culinary adventure

Thu, Oct 23, 2014

An initiative by the people who brought us Galway Food Festival will see the city’s restaurant owners come together to showcase the variety, quality, and standard of Galway’s restaurant scene.

Delicious dining options at The Latin Quarter Bistro

Thu, Oct 23, 2014

The Latin Quarter Bistro opened its doors in May and has gradually made its mark on the Galway food scene. The bistro offers a diverse menu of flavoursome dishes using local seasonal ingredients served in casual and relaxing surroundings. Chef Patrick and his team carefully source their ingredients to create classical bistro dishes with a modern Irish twist.

Breakfast club

Thu, Oct 23, 2014

Having spent a few years of my teens and early twenties meat free, I am still in the habit of scanning a menu to see what is on offer for vegan and vegetarian folk. As I recall, it was the smell of a smokey bacon burger after one too many fermented apple juices on a student night out that brought me back to being a practising carnivore. Just as well really, as a column featuring vegetarian food in Galway would have been very short lived. The vegetarian option is sadly still all too often the afterthought when planning a menu.

The gathering storm

Thu, Oct 23, 2014

The threat of another famine in 1879, within living memory of the horror and catastrophe of the Great Famine some 29 years earlier, brought renewed terror to the vulnerable tenant farmers in the west of Ireland. This time it was not just the humble potato, but severe weather conditions which devastated crops and feed stuffs over a three year period. Farm incomes dropped dramatically, landlords fussed that rents would not be paid. Whereas some landlords were patient, others warned that evictions would follow if rents were not paid on time.

Remembering Foggy Spelman

Thu, Oct 23, 2014

Paschal Spelman may have been given that name at birth, but to the many thousands of people (especially old Galwegians) he entertained down the years, he was simply known as ‘Foggy’.

Lowering the old wall

Thu, Oct 16, 2014

Church Lane was a dark place up until 1983 because of the very large high stone wall that ran the length of it. This was part of a wall that was built around St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church and its adjoining graveyard. The removal of most of the wall and its replacement by the railings that once surrounded Eyre Square was one of the earliest ideas for improving Galway as it prepared for the Quincentennial in 1984. This project transformed the area around the church, making it much more attractive and opening it up to the passing public. It let a lot of light into the city centre.

The Dohertys of Carrigan were not ‘land-grabbers’

Thu, Oct 16, 2014

Galway Diary received the following statement from Adrian Martyn (great-great-great grandnephew of Peter Doherty, senior), who was shot dead at Carrigan, near Craughwell village on the night of November 2 1881. I am pleased to carry Adrian’s clarification:

Mexican food — it's so hot right now

Thu, Oct 16, 2014

There is something spicy happening in Galway. Mexican food, one of the biggest food trends of recent years, has gone mainstream, and Galwegians are going loco for it.

Blood pH test available at Health and Herbs

Thu, Oct 16, 2014

Health and Herbs is an integrated health clinic and herbal dispensary situated at No 9 Sea Road, Galway. It was founded in 1999 by Dr Dilis Clare, who is Ireland’s only GP also qualified in herbal medicine.

Health and Herbs offers a wide range of health services including herbal medicine consultations, a choice of therapies, herbal dispensary, vitamins, supplements, and nutritional advice. Health and Herbs also offers a wide range of tests including testing for vitamin D levels, food intolerance, and coeliac disease. These tests are currently unavailable at many GP practices.

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