The strange exile of a disillusioned ‘Buck Mulligan’

Thu, Aug 21, 2014

Following his narrow escape from Republican forces, who were intent on killing him by the banks of the Liffey that cold night in January 1923, Oliver St John Gogarty wisely took himself off to London. He immediately became the toast of polite society there who delighted in his stories and witty conversation.

Take a walk on the Wilde side

Thu, Aug 14, 2014

I have always had a soft spot for Lisloughrey Lodge, enjoyed many good meals there, and slept soundly in the lavish bedrooms. Previously, a stunning job was done on Lisloughrey, transforming it from old style country house into contemporary country hideaway with bedrooms and suites individually styled and decorated, oversized beds, deep piled carpets, dark wood furniture, and the latest flat screen technology. The heart of the hotel is a magnificent period building and behind it, new accommodation was added discreetly in two-bedroom units built around an attractive landscaped courtyard with covered walkways. Set in the grounds of Ashford Castle and now in common ownership, the hotel has one of the most beautiful locations in the country. Perched above Lough Corrib, just outside Cong, the most picturesque of village with little gift shops to peruse, cafes and pubs to refresh yourself in, ferry rides and woodland walks to amuse you. Fishing, golf and even falconry are all on your doorstep.

Colourful Gogarty escapes death by a whisker

Thu, Aug 14, 2014

A precocious and cleverly witty Trinity student in a yellow waistcoat, Oliver St John Gogarty, was to become a close friend of Sinn Féin's founder Arthur Griffith. At its first historic meeting, November 28 1905, Gogarty proclaimed against the 'tyranny of the British government', in the grand manner of a Cicero addressing the Roman senate. But so moving and compelling were his words that when Griffith reported the meeting in his newspaper The United Irishman, Gogarty's speech was the only one he quoted. And he did so at length.

Swimming in Salthill

Thu, Aug 14, 2014

Competitive swimming really began in Galway with the formation of two swimming clubs, Blackrock SC and Galway SC. Both were formed in 1930.

Service with a smile

Thu, Aug 07, 2014

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” - JRR Tolkien.

Rest easy with better bedding

Thu, Aug 07, 2014

With a reputation for great service and quality products, Better Bedding celebrates more than 20 years of ensuring its customers get a decent night’s sleep.

Better Bedding is one of the longest stockists of quality mattress brands in Galway, like Respa. Well known for its top quality mattresses, Respa is an Irish company based in Co Meath. In its showroom, there are also beds by UK company Dunlopillo.

Get the best blinds, canopies, and awnings from Acme Blinds

Thu, Aug 07, 2014

Make the most of your outdoor space during the warm, sunny days of August with a canopy or awning to provide shade from the sun or cover from the rain.

Brighten up your home with strawberries and cream

Thu, Aug 07, 2014

Strawberries and cream anyone? The delightful new Strawberry collection from Irish potters Shannonbridge is available in Kilkenny Shops nationwide and online at kilkennyshop.com, home to Ireland’s largest range of Irish designers.

Kiloughter long ago

Thu, Aug 07, 2014

This photograph of Carrabrowne National School was taken in 1936 and shows, back row, left to right: Pete Keane, Carrabrowne; Jimmy O’Brien, Kiloughter; Davey Corcoran, Carrabrowne; Willie Glynn, Kiloughter; Francis Corcoran, Carrabrowne; Stephen O’Brien, Carrabrowne; Mattie Casserley, Kiloughter; Willie Higgins, Ballindooley; Stephen O’Brien, Kiloughter; Mickey McGrath, Ballindooley; Tom Costelloe, Kiloughter; and Stephen Birmingham, Kiloughter.

The poetic connection between Galway and Gogarty

Thu, Aug 07, 2014

Galway
A grey town in a country bare,

Family dining at Mulberry's of Barna

Thu, Jul 31, 2014

One of our favourite family spots has to be Mulberry’s restaurant in the village of Barna, on the coast road to Spiddal, close enough to Galway city to be almost considered a suburb. Set back from the main road, in a line of pretty shops, this is usually a busy spot with well thought out menus and family friendly dining. The two very hands-on owners, James and Deirdre Cunningham, are blessed with a good chef, Ziggy Kolanczyk. There is real focus on local seasonal produce and James himself can often be found foraging among the rocks on the local shores. The quality of ingredients, reasonable prices, and the casual elegance of the decor all adds up to a very good dining experience, with an emphasis on seafood and European style cuisine. Parking is both ample and free and the sky blue frontage is conveniently located next door to Ali’s Fish Shop, so you are guaranteed the seafood will be as fresh as can be.

Sunday lunch at The Ardilaun

Thu, Jul 31, 2014

The Camilaun Restaurant at The Ardilaun hotel is now offering a three course sit down lunch with tea or coffee to replace the traditional Sunday carvery lunch. The restaurant also provides soft, live, easy listening entertainment every Sunday as an extra touch, a perfect way to while away a lazy afternoon, all for €25 per person, with extensive children’s menu also available. It is the perfect solution for celebrating a family get together, birthday, anniversary, or christening, with a free personalised birthday cake for parties of more than 10 guests.

The Jesuit church

Thu, Jul 31, 2014

On this day, July 31, in 1863, “The new Church of St Ignatius on the Sea Road in the vicinity of the city was dedicated by the Most Rev Dr McEvilly, Lord Bishop of Galway. Sea Road is one of the most fashionable and frequented thoroughfares in the suburbs of our city. The Church, which was commenced in 1861, is now complete with the exception of the organ, altar and some minor internal decorations; and we have no doubt the zeal of the faithful will only require such a desirable opportunity of enabling the Jesuit Fathers, whose excellent judgement in these matters is fully acknowledged, to complete the required improvements, and that nothing shall be wanted which the good taste of the architect can suggest to make everything perfect. The Church is built of hammered limestone ashlar work in courses. The south gable, or principal front, the spire and the quoins, dressings etc, being finely punched and the depths of the jambs and arches of the principal doors and windows, which are richly moulded, adds greatly to its appearance. The Church, which is Gothic in style, is in the form of a Latin Cross, 115 feet in extreme length, 36 feet wide and 70 feet across the transepts, 56 to the ridge and 110 to the top of the spire”.

Clarinbridge goes Rustic

Thu, Jul 24, 2014

In the pretty town of Clarinbridge, a picturesque pub, Sherry's Bar, provides a surprising venue for Rustic Grub. Recently opened in a village already well supplied with good cafes and tea-rooms, it has hit the ground running — which says a lot about chef Maria McNeela and the ethos she has brought with her. There are very few people who could match the passion and respect that she has for food, and the menu reflects this in a variety of ways. She has found a space to showcase the best that the west has to offer and cooks in the Irish tradition — unrestrained, imaginative, and dedicated to pleasure — maternalism at its finest.

The tennis club

Thu, Jul 24, 2014

The Galway Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club was founded at a meeting in the Royal Hotel, Eyre Square, on May 19, 1900. Many of the founders were members of the British army, the landed gentry, and the professions such as doctors, solicitors, professors, etc. Membership was by invitation only so there was a certain elitism attached to the club in the early days.

Forty years a-binding, and more to come

Thu, Jul 24, 2014

An extraordinary row on the Late Late Show, 17 years ago, had a positive impact on a small Galway business struggling for survival. ‘A very attractive lady,’ Siubhan Maloney, called into Kenny’s Book Bindery, located in Salthill at the time, and told Gerry Kenny that she was a contestant in the Late Late’s Antique Show. She was re-upholstering an old chair, which included a small shelf. She wanted to see how to re-cover an old book in highly decorated leather, which would sit into the shelf. Jerry was happy to show her how it was done. First of all the pages are handsewn together, then clamped and trimmed ready for gold foil, which is applied with heat. This prevents the pages becoming dusty.

The First Holy Communion dress did not fit everyone

Thu, Jul 17, 2014

If there isn’t some dramatic change, and matters as they stand are allowed to drift, it is easy to see that the impact of the child abuse scandals within the Catholic church have had a very negative impact on the present and future generations in Ireland. Despite being one of the most generous generations ever when it comes to helping others, young people today are quite indifferent to the church. In fact many are openly hostile.

The Corrib Club, one hundred and fifty years

Thu, Jul 17, 2014

The Corrib Club was founded in July 1864, 150 years ago this month. Unfortunately the minutes of the club for that year and 1865 are nowhere to be found, but the late Maurice Semple, having access to minutes for most other years, produced a book entitled A Century of Minutes, the Story of the Corrib Club 1864-1966, from which we publish extracts today.

Summertime in Salthill

Thu, Jul 17, 2014

Approached from the Seafront Promenade side with uninterrupted views over Galway Bay, Arabica is a busy hub, now an established part of Salthill's buzzing cafe culture. The day starts early and there’s a great choice for breakfast from a traditional fry to a more healthy granola or fluffy Belgian waffles. Lunch brings all kinds of sandwiches and panini, soups, and various colourful salads to eat.

Is your thyroid killing your weight loss and energy?

Thu, Jul 17, 2014

Nothing affects your health and weight loss like low thyroid function. It drastically limits your energy and ages you well beyond your years. It can mean you are operating at 50 per cent of normal power – mentally and physically. It makes weight loss almost impossible because you burn 400 or 500 calories less than normal per day. It can limit or stop your weight loss no matter how much dieting or exercise you do.

Thyroid hormones affect every cell in the body. Low thyroid can be at the root cause of depression, poor digestion, constipation, poor circulation and feeling cold, fatigue, poor skin and hair quality, fertility problems and low sex drive – it is connected to everything. It of course causes big weight gain and can especially contribute to stomach fat. In our hurried and stressed lifestyle, the thyroid is one of the most beaten up glands of all.

E-paper

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