The Book Shelf...

Thu, Sep 27, 2012

Hugh’s Three Good Things… on a plate
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

Food champions nominated to represent the west’s food sector in Canada

Thu, Sep 27, 2012

Two of Galway’s best known restaurateurs have been chosen as food champions to represent the west of Ireland as part of a food tourism delegation due to visit Canada next month.

JP McMahon of Eat Galway (Cava Spanish Restaurant, Aniar Restaurant, and Eat@ Massimo) and Fergus O’Halloran of the Twelve Hotel were chosen to represent the best of the food industry in the west on the upcoming trip to Canada’s Prince Edward County.

Eat in or out with the Gourmet Tart Company

Thu, Sep 27, 2012

The Gourmet Tart Company is one of Galway's biggest success stories, as far as food is concerned. The business started out selling cakes from an ironing board in Limerick's Milk Market and now boasts four bakery/delicatessens and a restaurant. What began in 2001 as a small French-style bakery has become a thriving business with very loyal customers. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week and has both sweet and savoury ranges and quality take-home meals. The shops are bright and white, sleek and efficient. Look for the pink and white sign above the door and the trademark grapefruit-sized meringues streaked with raspberry in the windows.

I would like to thank…

Thu, Sep 27, 2012

The Emmys, aka the Oscars of the small screen, took place in LA earlier this week. Now I am not one to stay up until the crack of dawn checking out all the red carpet glam, or lack thereof, but the red carpet arrivals of this particular ceremony caught my eye. Selecting a best dressed list is never an easy task, especially when there are aspects of a look that are superb and others that are mediocre. This year's Emmys were certainly a stylish affair, for both the girls and boys, and may spark some colourful new trends. So who wins my award for the best dressed?

Calling all brides and brides-to-be — once loved wedding dress sale next month

Thu, Sep 27, 2012

The Clayton Hotel will host its popular once loved dress sale on October 7, offering the perfect opportunity to buy or sell a once loved wedding dress. The event is organised by the Clayton in association with sellmyweddingdress.net

Get smart: autumn key pieces to transform your working look

Thu, Sep 27, 2012

As we spend more time at work than anywhere else, it is natural to put more time and thought into building a beautiful work wear wardrobe. Look forward to Monday mornings again with these key pieces to take the stress out of getting ready in the morning, and help you look smart, modern, and confident.

The trouser suit is back this season. Choose it in a neutral autumn hue that suits your skin tone and pair it with power heels and a coloured jumper or a winter floral blouse for an instant update.

First St Augustine’s pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella

Thu, Sep 27, 2012

On a warm Saturday evening in a little town of Arzúa, about 40kms from Santiago de Compostella, a group of Galway pilgrims watched the local brass band competition. Led by their conductors three bands marched up the street, playing marching tunes.

The most Irish of games

Thu, Sep 27, 2012

Hurling is said to be older than the recorded history of Ireland and to predate Christianity. In Seamus King’s remarkable book The History of Hurling, there is a reference from Irish verbal history of hurling being played as far back as 1,200BC in Tara, County Meath. The earliest written references to the sport in Brehon law are from the fifth century.

The Great Famine in the Claddagh

Thu, Sep 20, 2012

In March 1846, it was reported, “In the town of Galway, people were suffering under the most trying privations; not a stone of potatoes could be purchased at market for the use of 20,000 inhabitants, and in the western suburbs in the Claddagh, the fishermen have been living on half rotten potatoes.”

Helping your children succeed at school

Thu, Sep 13, 2012

Your children are back at school and you are keen to help them settle into a routine again.

Learn to cope with post-holiday blues

Thu, Sep 13, 2012

Whether returning to work after a period of time off, going back to school after the summer, or simply coming home after a short trip abroad, for many September can be a challenging time and it is important to monitor and look after your mental health during this time.

Krav maga classes in Galway

Thu, Sep 13, 2012

Krav maga was developed and refined during World War II and Israel’s War of Independence by Imi Lichtenfeld. Krav maga is Hebrew for “contact combat”. It was originally developed in the Israeli defence forces and various branches of the security services, and later adapted to civilian needs. It is based on utility, instinct, simplicity, and adaptability. It emerged from an environment where violence, mostly political, was unfortunately commonplace.

It is the end of the road for reading glasses

Thu, Sep 13, 2012

A revolutionary new eye surgery at Optilase, a leading Irish laser vision correction clinic, is eliminating the need for reading glasses for the over-40s suffering from presbyopia, the technical term for the loss of crispness of our near vision. Presbyopia is a natural process that happens to everyone, even those who have previously had laser vision correction. It is estimated that more than 1.7 billion people around the world experience presbyopia; it is simply part of the ageing process.

Mouth Cancer Awareness Day 2012

Thu, Sep 13, 2012

Wednesday September 19 marks the second annual Mouth Cancer Awareness Day. Last year Eyre Square Dental Clinic participated and provided 67 free examinations. There are more than 300 cases of mouth cancer reported in Ireland every year. In Britain, the incidence of mouth cancer has increased faster than any other cancer in the past 25 years.

According to the National Cancer Registry in Ireland, roughly half of all mouth cancers are diagnosed at a late stage. This late diagnosis can result in more complex treatment with a greater impact on quality of life and overall survival. Early detection of mouth cancer greatly improves the chances of survival and Mouth Cancer Awareness Day is designed to help.

Lose two stone in ten weeks with diet, exercise, and metabolism correction

Thu, Sep 13, 2012

System 10 is a step by step individualised plan of normal food, precise exercise, and nutrition designed to give you a great metabolism and your best weight loss and body shape ever. It was created by dietician, fitness trainer, and lecturer David McDonagh.

Get the best from your water system with Burke Water Systems

Thu, Sep 13, 2012

Are you building a new house or in need of an upgrade? Look no further than Burke Water Systems, which has the latest European standard certification which is now a legal requirement for all septic tanks.

Series of free electrical waste collections to begin this week

Thu, Sep 13, 2012

WEEE Ireland, the Irish compliance scheme for electrical and battery recycling, will hold a series of WEEE collections throughout County Galway from this week.

The collections, supported by Galway County Council, will allow people across the county to get rid of any household electrical equipment and batteries in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

Autumn winter 2012 arrives at the Kilkenny Store

Thu, Sep 13, 2012

This season, style prepares to embrace its ‘dark side’ as fashion is enriched with deep shades and luscious textures. Without having to reinvent your entire wardrobe as the new season and trends arrive, the Kilkenny stores have a fabulous collection of staple, versatile, separates that will ensure your wardrobe is on trend and will see you through for seasons to come. Home to Ireland’s largest collection of Irish designers as well as many top international labels, Kilkenny brings you the finest selection of autumn winter style with something to suit all shapes, styles, and tastes.

Leather — the trend that won’t go away

Thu, Sep 13, 2012

Hands up, who has a leather jacket? If you answer yes, whatever you do, do not throw it away. If you answered no, now is the perfect time to make this all important investment. Leather is simply a trend that will not remove itself from society. So much so, it really cannot be called a trend any longer, it is a staple piece which should form part of every capsule wardrobe. Black, brown, dark berry shades, whatever your preference, this season is all about the longevity and versatility of leather. Catwalk trends vary – from full length leather coats at Michael Kors and Alberta Ferretti, to trousers by Yves Saint Laurent, dresses from Fendi, to the all-out bizarre and showstopping looks by Gareth Pugh and Rick Owens (look up these designers on the net to see the full shows). The high street collections are safer, but are impressive interpretations of the hottest designer looks. A word of warning though, leather needs some TLC so when investing in a piece, take the time to maintain the fabric by cleaning it and checking for damage.

Enjoy online shoe shopping with Premoli’s new website

Thu, Sep 13, 2012

Premoli has announced the launch of its new website, www.premolishoes.com, where you can check out all the fabulous new season’s styles from the comfort of your living room.

The autumn winter season is a favourite at Premoli and this season the collection is intriguing, tempting and provoking. Whatever trend you are looking for this season, Premoli has them all.

E-paper

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