Deck the halls

Thu, Nov 14, 2024

Soon it will be time to raid the attic for boxes of tinsel and trinkets and embark on the annual decorating ritual. While we can’t help you unravel the fairy lights, here are a few tips to make decorating more fun and less about finance this year.

Irish beauty brands are in demand this Christmas

Thu, Nov 14, 2024

There is no shortage of amazing homegrown talent in the Irish beauty industry, and the wide range of beauty brands on shop shelves reflect this.

The new generation skin obsession

Thu, Nov 14, 2024

With more and more 10-year-olds blowing their budgets on serums and retinols, Lisa Geraghty asks if we are in the midst of a new skincare craze.

Ireland's mothers and sisters named as the nation's best gift-givers

Thu, Nov 14, 2024

As people dust off their Christmas stockings and write their festive wish-lists, CEWE (‘see-wee’), a leading European photo printing specialist, has released the results of its survey investigating Irish Christmas gift-giving experiences - good and bad.

When it comes to family gift giving, 31 per cent of those surveyed named their mammies and their sisters as the best gift givers at Christmas. On the flip side, dads and brothers were voted as being the worst at gift-giving by 26 per cent of those surveyed.

University of Galway invites you to 'Find your Masters' at upcoming open evening

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

A must for prospective postgraduate students interested in learning more about their options for further study, University of Galway's upcoming 'Find your Masters' open evening will take place on Tuesday, November 12, from 4pm to 6pm in the Bailey Allen Hall, Áras na Mac Léinn.

Group bodhrán classes

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

Everybody has rhythm, and there is no better time than now to take up a new challenge and learn a new instrument. If you have always wanted to play music but don’t know where to start, or you are already playing but don’t know how to take your playing to the next level, now is the time.

The Franciscans in Galway

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

In the graveyard at the back of the Abbey Church in Francis Street stands an interesting memorial carrying the De Burgo coat of arms and a long broadsword. The inscription tells us that it was erected in memory of William De Burgo who founded the Franciscan friary on St Stephen’s Island in 1296. The site was roughly where the Courthouse is today and the island was formed by the Galway River on one side and a branch of that river which ran through what today would be Woodquay and Mary Street and re-joined the main river. A second and smaller island lay between St Stephen’s and the town wall, so that in order to maintain communications with the town, two bridges were necessary, one at the junction of Mary Street and Abbeygate Street and the other at the Little Gate. The Abbey buildings lay immediately north of the present graveyard and between them and the river was ‘Sruthán na mBráthair’, a small stream that enabled the friars to bring boats in from the main river. The monastery was known as the Abbey of St Francis.

Top 10 European countries for swimming

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

A new study by Plitvice Lakes Tours has revealed Europe's best countries for swimming. They analysed the latest bathing water quality data from the European Environment Agency via Eurostat and the UK Environment Agency, looking into the number of coastal and inland bathing waters across Europe, their quality ratings and how this improved in 2023 compared to 2022. The best water quality was marked as "excellent" meaning these areas are perfect for swimmers.

Croatia has the highest number of excellent beaches and bathing waters in Europe, with 99% of Croatian beaches marked as such. It's inland bathing spots also improved in quality by 73% in 2023 compared to 2022, the second highest increase in all of Europe.

Agri Aware announce this years Incredible Edibles programme

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

Agri Aware have announced the Incredible Edibles programme for 2024/2025. The programme aims to educate primary school students about the benefits of eating Irish-grown fruits and vegetables and has been going on for 18 years now.

Movember survey reveals over one-third of men struggle with their mental health

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

A recent study conducted by Movember, the leading men's health charity, reveals that while 82% of men recognise how important good mental health is for overall wellbeing, close to half (44%) of men in Ireland believe their social health and habits are unhealthy and over one-third of men say that they are struggling with their mental health.

Insulate for the winter months now with a grant of up to €3,250

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

Galway company West Coast Insulation is advising homeowners to take advantage of the Government grants and insulate before the cooler months set in.

Top athletes choose HBOT

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBOT) might sound a bit technical but it’s actually pretty straightforward. You sit in a special chamber where the air pressure is higher than normal, allowing your lungs to take in more oxygen than normal. This might seem like a small thing, but this extra oxygen can have some pretty powerful effects on your body.

More oxygen in your blood means it’s easier for your body to heal injured tissues. Whether you’re dealing with a muscle strain, a sprain, or just the normal wear and tear from intense training, HBOT can help you get back to feeling your best sooner. Benefits include faster recovery times, reduced pain and inflammation and immune support to name a few.

Christmas dinner and drinks demonstration at Blackrock Cottage

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

The award-winning team at Blackrock Cottage in Salthill are hosting 'A Christmas Wonderland', an evening of festive food and fun on Thursday, November 28.

Book now for the best value on 2026 cruises

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

Fahy Travel has announced that Royal Caribbean is now on sale for Europe 2026. If you have a special family event, wedding anniversary or honeymoon coming up, now is the time to put a date in the diary and get the best value for your Royal Caribbean experience.

Living with Long Covid

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

Joanne Collevy was always "supremely" fit and healthy. She had a personal trainer, lifted weights, and walked five kilometres a day. She loved horseriding and had an active social life.

Six weeks to drop up to a stone before Christmas

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

The three keys to a genuine weight loss (real fat loss) plan are diet, exercise and metabolism correction. All three keys interconnect – one will not work without the other. Your metabolism is the most powerful of all the three keys – it is the ‘switch’ that controls everything else.

In most people this switch is off. Metabolism problems like slow thyroid, type 2 diabetes, sluggish liver, hormone imbalances, PCOS, endometriosis, infertility and digestive problems like constipation, IBS and diverticulitis will limit or stop your weight loss, no matter how much dieting or exercise you do.

Choosing the right path for you

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

As thousands of young Irish people embark on their transition from secondary school to college, they’re met with new academic, social, and financial realities. This milestone, long marked as a rite of passage, brings both excitement and challenges for Ireland's next generation, who are navigating a higher education landscape shaped by rapidly changing job markets, high living costs, and increased academic pressures.

How do I go about deciding what I want to do once I finish my Leaving Cert?

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

Leaving Cert students have never had a wider choice of options.

The 'dos and don’ts' for a festive and professional celebration

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

Love them or loathe them, work Christmas parties are a staple event of the festive period, offering an opportunity to unwind, cut loose and showcase your dodgy dance moves. Work Christmas parties also offer an opportunity to unwind a bit too much, resulting an awkward Monday at best, or serious consequences that will last far longer than the hangover.

How about a different sort of Christmas party?

Thu, Nov 07, 2024

Thinking outside the box can make a Christmas party truly unforgettable. If you're looking to break from tradition, these unconventional party ideas offer fun twists on classic festivities. Here’s a guide to some unusual Christmas party ideas that will surprise and delight your guests.

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