Samoan Coconut

Thu, Jul 16, 2009

Ethical beauty retailer The Body Shop has expanded its unique Community Trade programme to include, for the first time, coconut growers from the Pacific Islands of Samoa. A Samoan co-operative is now supplying The Body Shop with organic, cold-pressed, virgin coconut oil for use in its new and improved Coconut Bath & Body range.

The many talents of Michael O’Meara from Oscar’s Bistro

Thu, Jul 16, 2009

The launch of a great new recipe book, The Galway Ingredient, prompted me to arrange a date for a chat with Michael O’Meara of Oscar’s Bistro. The Galway Ingredient is a superb book of recipes from the Euro-toques chefs of Galway, and was launched recently to coincide with the Volvo Ocean Race visit to Galway. It costs €5 and is available in Eason’s, Dubray’s, and most local book shops. For his part O’Meara is both a contributor of recipes and the photographer of every picture in the book.

McCambridges brings brown

Thu, Jul 16, 2009

As the summer heats up, there might be many reasons to visit the beach, but there’s also a new, tasty way to cool down with a visit to Shop Street in Galway, as Murphys Ice Cream has launched a new flavour to celebrate the refurbishment of McCambridge’s. That venerable institution has installed a Murphys ice cream scooping cabinet, with twelve delicious flavours, including McCambridge’s Brown Bread ice cream, in the remodelled, gourmet food store.

Deals on doors

Thu, Jul 16, 2009

Wood Plus, Galway’s longest established doors and floors retailer, is having an unmissable one day only sales special this Saturday July 19, with fantastic bargains such as oak doors from just €75 including VAT. Present on the day will be Mike O'Toole, regional sales manager with Deanta Doors, who will be on hand to advise customers on door choices, and to answer any queries. Wood Plus, located at Unit 9a, Liosban Retail Park, has ten years’ experience in selling quality products at reasonable prices to the Galway public. They provide a full range of prefinished interior doors in a variety of timbers and finishes. Wood Plus can supply a large selection of skirting and architrave to match new or existing doors in addition to a complete range of complementary door hardware including handles, hinges, and locks. Instore special offers will also be available on a large range of wooden floors. Sale starts at 9am sharp. Call 091 752311 for further details or check out the full product range on www.woodplus.ie

Happy holidays

Thu, Jul 16, 2009

It’s holiday time. Glorious sunny days and balmy evenings beckon as we settle into summer.

Take a different

Thu, Jul 16, 2009

If you’re looking for a last minute sun holiday deal, but are sick of the same old Spanish resorts, why not venture to the Algarve?

The fire at Menlo Castle

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

Menlo Castle was the ancestral home of the Blakes. The family lived there from around 1600 to 1910. The castle was strategically positioned and was occupied for some time by the Cromwellians. The villagers of Menlo were tenants of the Blakes. ‘Maying in Menlo’ was a great Galway tradition where the Blake family opened their grounds to the public as a venue for all kinds of sports and athletics, yachting, tennis, rowing, music, and dancing. Boats from Woodquay and Long Walk brought patrons up the river; sweet vendors were working day and night preparing sugar sticks and sweet-pipes which were sold in colours of red and white at a halfpenny each; the cries of different vendors of eatables and drinks rent the air, “Cider a penny a glass, Guinness 3d a pint.” Puritans and temperance fanatics were unknown, hawkers and showmen were a plenty. The various tents extended from the river to the schoolhouse in the village. The women in the enclosure with their sunshades and mid-Victorian costumes looked beautiful, while villagers and colleens with shoulder shawls and neat pinafores were the picture of comeliness.

High fashion and low prices at Sorelle

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

Sorelle Boutique is situated in the bustling village of Oranmore. This locally owned ladies’ clothes store is extremely popular throughout the city and county with many travelling outside the city centre to get their hands on something a little different to the offerings of high street stores. The price tag is also extremely reasonable offering well tailored designer labels at prices that are a match for the high street too.

Owned by sisters Orla and Maeve Grealy, this stylish boutique stocks a combination of affordable world famous designer labels including Easy Comfort, Fran and Jane, Ebene, Evalinka, Fred Sabatier, My Way, and Oks. Sorelle also stocks a wide range of bags, headpieces, and jewellery.

How to buy less and wear more

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

There is nothing more frustrating than buying clothes that end up in the back of the wardrobe because they do not flatter you, you have nothing to wear them with, or do not know how to wear them. As we become more conscious about spending money, it is time to make the right decisions when shopping for clothes.

Barbecue tips and ideas

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

Now that we seem to be getting some reasonable weather most people will be hoping to have a barbecue, or indeed several barbecues. There are two major problems with this great idea; the weather and cooking the food perfectly for you and your guests. An open sided gazebo will help with the vagaries of the weather as it can act as a shield against the blazing sun or provide shelter from a shower. As far as getting the cooking right, the single best advice is to precook most of the items. I was invited to a barbecue recently by one of the top chefs in Galway and I asked him for some tips on how to get it right.

Cases of fun at annual charity barbecue

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

Cases wine warehouse has teamed up with Enable Ireland to host an annual charity barbecue at Cases wine warehouse on the Tuam Rd on Friday July 17.

Sizzling summer at the Dáil

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

The Dáil bar is celebrating summer with some very tasty special offers. A little taste of a Mexico is being presented by a sizzling fajita deal, with a choice of chicken or vegetarian filling, and accompanied by a free beer or glass of wine for €12.95.

The Dail also has a selection of daily specials to complement its a-a-carte menu. With an aim to cater to all tastes, specials are constantly changed and adapted to suit the season. With specials starting a €5.95 and a selection of sandwiches and lighter bites you are guaranteed to find something.

Ten ways to lose fat without even trying

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

Fat loss does not have to be painful. Try these simple tips and see just how easy it can be.

Warm Asian tuna salad with pickled ginger and fresh coriander, served with sushi rice

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

This delicious salad comes from Kylemore. Fresh tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, offering a boost to heart health as well as improving concentration and memory.

The colours of happiness: Decorate your home in French Provençal style

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

When you think of Provence and the French countryside, you imagine lavender fields and bright sunshine. While there are many elements that contribute to the French country style of decorating, the resulting look is always rustic, old-world, and welcoming. The look fits well into any country house or city home with a garden.

The colours of happiness: Decorate your home in French Provençal style

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

When you think of Provence and the French countryside, you imagine lavender fields and bright sunshine. While there are many elements that contribute to the French country style of decorating, the resulting look is always rustic, old-world, and welcoming. The look fits well into any country house or city home with a garden.

TG Interiors reveals new curtain range and continues blind scrappage scheme

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

TG Interiors Acme Blinds Loughrea has just launched its new range of curtain fabrics with over 1500 new samples now in stock. The owners looked at what was on offer in the market place and have gone for an exclusive range of fabric that is not stocked by any other retailer in Galway. Brand names such as Olivier Thevenon, Fine, Vision, Kurage, Clair Fonce and Wind to name a few. Customers can avail of TG’s free quotation and measuring service, whether for curtains or blinds — and they also provide a curtain making and alteration service.

Customers can also avail of its advice on interior design of their house or apartment from its fully qualified in-store interior designer.

Miss Waterford Universe launches southeast show

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

South East Garden Show and Modern Homes and Building Exhibition was launched recently by Samantha Stacey, Miss Waterford Universe 2008. The show starts Friday July 17 at Powerstown Park racecourse, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, and runs for three days.

Coping well with a cancer diagnosis

Thu, Jul 09, 2009

A cancer diagnosis comes as a major shock to many people. Suddenly, their lives are turned upside down as they attempt to take in the news and understand the various treatments available.

“People’s first reactions when told they have cancer are shock and fear,” explains Dr Helen Greally, the director of psychology and support services at Cancer Care West - the local charity which supports people affected by a cancer diagnosis. “It is often called the ‘Big C’ because to most people it seems unmanageable and the treatment options seem frightening.”

The mighty men of Menlo

Thu, Jul 02, 2009

July 4 1929 was an important day in the history of rowing in this country, and particularly in this part of the country, because that was the day that Emmetts Rowing Club from Menlo brought the first senior eights championship trophy to Galway. Almost all the members of the crew were native Irish speakers and all lived locally and worked by the river. During a very wet spring when they could do very little farmwork, someone suggested to them that as boatmen, if they were all put into a racing eight, they would be able to take on any crew.

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