Home away from home — check out the caravan show

Thu, Jan 19, 2012

‘Check in two hours prior to your flight’, ‘no more than 15kg of luggage allowed’, ‘ensure some necessary hand luggage items in case of lost baggage’, ‘your hotel to airport transfer takes one hour please do not be late for pick up’ - just a few of the problems that can arise with package holidays. The Caravan & Motorhome Show which will be held at the RDS Simmonscourt from Friday January 27 to Sunday January 29 offers holiday makers an alternative to the pressures of the package.

Caravanning is now a popular holiday choice for couples and families and groups as they are fun, affordable, and give you the freedom to discover new places. This year the demand for caravanning and touring holidays has risen dramatically as more people discover the great benefits, freedom, flexibility and adventure that they can bring.

Running a city on village lines

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

This photograph of a pig fair was taken about 100 years ago on a wet day at the top of Eyre Square. The corner we see on the right was occupied by Michael Walsh, family grocer, wine and spirit merchant, who claimed to have the most superior quality of goods always kept in stock... “A trial will convince”. In the foreground are a typical group of farmers who have travelled into town with their tall carts carrying their pigs. They have them on show with a rope tied around each animal’s leg to avoid them running all over the place. You can almost sense these farmers praying for a buyer to come along, because if they did not sell they would have to bring their pigs home again. Not all farmers had the luxury of carts, and those who walked their animals into town and did not sell, would have to walk them home again.

Fear and loathing in east Galway

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

Following the extensive publicity and extraordinary use of more than 700 military, police, emergency men and bailiffs, to evict five families from the marquis of Clanricarde’s estate, the people of Woodford and all of east Galway were in a state of shock, anger and fear. It was now clear that Clanricarde would use every method within his considerable powers to evict any of his tenants who refused to pay their rent. Despite pleas for a rent reduction because of successive bad weather, he refused to even consider it. He scoffed at John Dillon’s Plan of Campaign, supported by the Land League, which urged tenants to stick together, and to refuse to pay unreasonable rent.

Embrace your style with confidence in 2012

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

This year make your wardrobe work for you and fall in love with shopping. Here are the four commandments to a very stylish 2012.

Facing up to flu

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

Every winter it is one of the main topics of conversation. “I had the flu all week.” I’ve a touch of it myself, I’m all blocked up” or “My son is off school with a high temperature”.

Children eat for free with the new Sunday lunch menu at the Harbour Hotel

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

Bring the whole family together for a relaxing Sunday lunch at the Harbour Hotel in the heart of Galway. Enjoy a fabulous four-course lunch for only €19.95 per person, including a glass of Prosecco. Children under 10 years eat for free, and customers can avail of two hours’ free parking.

On the Wine Shelf

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

Olivier Ravoire Côtes du Rhône (All good wine shops, €10.99)

Not so happy customers

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

I have received quite a few emails recently from readers who feel that the standards in many local eating establishments are declining. Service, cleanliness, and food quality are all areas of concern for many. I mentioned this to several people over the holidays and just about everyone exploded with their various negative comments and anecdotes. On a personal note I feel that the once famous Irish welcome is a thing of the past other than in exceptional cases, and it makes me feel very uneasy for our tourism future. This is also true in many shops where you feel like you would need permission to ask a question. Before I put pen to paper I thought about possible reasons for this situation, and it may be that staff are being treated poorly, or perhaps they are under personal hardships, or lack good management, but whatever the reason, it is still no excuse.

Detox with the help of 2,000 years of wisdom

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

Christmas overindulgence can leave you feeling intolerant to certain foods, constipated or irregular, congested, ill, sluggish, and tired. What you need is a good internal cleansing programme to get your system back to its best.

Spend small on insulation, save big on heating costs with EcoSeal

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

“You put a hat on your head and keep your body heat in,” says Claire Nic Grianna from EcoSeal. “Thermal insulation in your roof will do the same for your house.”

Best face forward

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

The cosmetics hall in Brown Thomas is so over Christmas. Spring and summer vibes are everywhere. Mac, which has found inspiration this time around in heiress and fashion disciple Daphne Guinness, is leaving all that glitters behind and is transitioning with a matte collection of berry and pink tones, though these are not your granny’s berry and pink tones. Far from innocent, this collection is more decadent and dramatic, but balanced to perfection with alabaster flawless skin.

Style Isle

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

Having written about vintage last week, I got to thinking about accessories and how to build up a nice collection of varied pieces for the new season. Accessories, you see, are statements. You can take the simplest of outfits, in any array of colours or styles and by adding a pair of earrings there, a scarf here or a hat, the outfit transforms completely. Whether you like bold pieces, or prefer to stick to jewellery you wear all the time, accessories are something you can have fun with.

New year, new you at Curves

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

Why not re-invent yourself this year with a ‘new you’ at Curves? Let this year be about becoming the best you can be. At Curves you can improve your overall fitness level, tone up, and lose weight, so what are you waiting for?

Taking responsibility for your health this 2012

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

We all resolve to make changes in January. Each year we endeavour to generally take better care of ourselves and our families by resolving to give up smoking, deciding to lose weight, signing up to some exercise classes, or possibly joining a gym.

Plexus Bio Energy brings people back to good health and wellbeing

Thu, Jan 12, 2012

Located at Lismoyle House, Merchants Road, Galway, both Michael O'Gara and Tina Forkan run a full time clinic that they started in 1990. Plexus Bio Energy involves the relocating and balancing of energy blockages throughout the body; these blockages are like electrical currents going through the body which form an electromagnetic field. Therapists can scan and diagnose the energy field and loacte where the blockages are in the body.

Lose weight, detox, and increase vitality in four weeks with the juice therapy and raw food programme

Thu, Jan 05, 2012

Juice therapy and raw food for weight loss is not only a delicious solution to assist you in your weight loss goals, it is also an incredible way to increase your stamina and vitality as well as fight disease and recover from illness faster as you cleanse your body, rebuild blood cells, increase your immunity, alkalise your system, reduce allergies, improve the cardiovascular system and heart health, and increase your over all wellbeing.

Learn the ancient science of Ayurveda in six week introductory course

Thu, Jan 05, 2012

Ayurveda is a system of natural healing, a way of life which treats each and every person in accordance with his or her unique individual constitution. It educates and empowers us on how to take care of our health and wellbeing by getting to know our unique natural physical and psychological make-up and tendencies. By guiding us in making changes in our diet, lifestyle, and regime Ayurveda can help prevent, treat, and remove both disease and symptoms. With a history of more than 5,000 years it stands as the most comprehensive natural health system in the world.

Enhance mind, body and spirit in 2012

Thu, Jan 05, 2012

Explore the workings of your mind, body, and spirit this New Year and set yourself on the fast track to inner peace with a dedicated three day holistic workshop in Co Mayo this month.

Up to seventy per cent off in Standún sale

Thu, Jan 05, 2012

The great winter sale continues at Standún with up to 70 per cent off in all departments.

Successful sales shopping

Thu, Jan 05, 2012

All those tantalizing bargains in the sales can lead to a wardrobe full of clothes that you will probably never wear. Before tackling your shopping trip read my top tips to make the most of the January sales.

E-paper

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