‘The mountain is just a way of thinking’

Thu, Jul 23, 2015

Next Sunday, the last Sunday in July, is Reek Sunday which celebrates the national pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s Holy Mountain. Several thousands of people are expected to make the arduous climb, which can take over two hours to get to its summit. If it’s a clear day the views across Connemara, and along the coast line, are spectacular. If the climb is made in misty weather, then it becomes an adventure of another kind. Whatever the weather there is a real sense of camaraderie, and shared humanity; a feeling too that to take a few hours out of our busy lives, to concentrate on the effort of the climb, and support our fellow travellers, is ‘to experience a life time in miniature.’

The Rev Gary Hastings, in his new book Going Up The Holy Mountain,* accepts that an increasing number of people have no idea about the concept of pilgrimage. They regard the whole thing as something quaint, superstitious and irrelevent. That perception, he believes, is wrong. To make a pilgrimage, even a long walk, or to climb any mountain, is a useful device to have in our ‘spiritual toolkit’. He invites the reader to climb Croagh Patrick, and provides a generous spiritual guide as to how that climb can become meaningful. Climbing the mountain ‘involves concrete action and movement. It is not shrouded in words and theology; it is something you just do. And while you do it, things can change. You leave yourself open to possibility, to the chance of hearing the silence, seeing the meaning.’

The Boathouse Oranmore: All aboard for the Galway Races

Thu, Jul 23, 2015

The Boathouse in Oranmore is getting geared up for this year's Galway Races.

Lana brings Asian street food to Galway

Thu, Jul 23, 2015

Asian street food sensation Lana brings the tastes, colours, and smells of Asian street food, together with the fresh salty air and sea in Salthill.

Enjoy the tastes of delicious food put together passionately by the team from Thailand, Indonesia, China, and Malaya, reflecting how people dine in their home countries. 

Eyre Street Steakhouse —  putting some sizzle into the summer

Thu, Jul 23, 2015

The summer of 2015 may have been a bit of a washout so far, with a much higher risk of trench foot than sunburn, but it has not been all bad. We are experiencing an unprecedented explosion of new eateries and bars, squeezing themselves into any nook and cranny they can find. There really is no shortage of new restaurants to duck into to escape the drizzle.

Seapoint Ballroom

Thu, Jul 16, 2015

Sixty six years ago tomorrow, on July 17 1949, Seapoint Ballroom was officially opened by Joe Costelloe, Mayor of Galway, at 10pm. 

An invitation to climb Croagh Patrick

Thu, Jul 16, 2015

Sunday week, July 26, is Reek Sunday, or Garland Sunday or Garlic Sunday or even Crom Dubh Sunday, and I am sure there are many other names to describe the  famous pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick, when many thousands climb to its rocky summit.

A special welcome at The Lough Rea Hotel

Thu, Jul 16, 2015

The little lakeside town of Loughrea represents the last outpost of civilisation before you reach the 'midlands'. If you are in search of refreshments before venturing forth into a territory where good places to eat are few and far between, you will be glad to know that it is increasingly possible to dine well in Loughrea.

The Eyre Street Steakhouse has something for everyone

Thu, Jul 16, 2015

Revive has ventured into the evening dining scene with the opening of The Eyre Street Steakhouse, a dedicated steakhouse with a menu that not only appeals to steak lovers but also to the non-carnivores among us.

Enjoy a New Orleans-style feast with Raging Cajun Catering

Thu, Jul 16, 2015

Chef Zimele Brown, formerly of Jamaica Joe’s, has started Raging Cajun Catering which specialises in Creole and Cajun cuisine direct from New Orleans. 

Chef Brown has been cooking New Orleans style cuisine for 18 years, when he started cooking with his mother and grandmother in New Orleans. After enjoying the experience of creating great food from fresh ingredients he went to culinary school to further his knowledge and palate with different regional cuisines from Italy, Mexican, Greek, Germany, and even Nigeria.

Hotel Meyrick partners with Laurent Perrier Champagne for Race Week

Thu, Jul 16, 2015

Galway city’s leading four star Hotel Meyrick has announced a partnership with Laurent Perrier Champagne during Galway Race Week. From Monday July 27 to Sunday August 2 race goers are invited to savour scrumptious champagne inspired drinks and meal options as part of the hotel’s Race Week programme. 

The Galway Fishery

Thu, Jul 09, 2015

The first documented reference to the Galway Fishery is found in the Pipe Rolls, a collection of financial records maintained by the British Treasury. The Rolls of 1283 AD refer to the fishery at the time being part of the property of Walter De Burgo. The fishery passed through several ownerships until 1521 when Henry VIII granted a licence to Janet and Anthony Lynch to have three nets upon the river of Galway between the bridge and the sea and to build one water mill upon the river wherever they thought proper. In 1570 Elizabeth I granted the mayor, bailiffs, and commonality of the town and their successors “The customs of one salmon every Wednesday out of the Great Weir, a salmon every Saturday out of the High Weir, a salmon every Friday out of the ‘hale’ (haul) net and as many eels as shall be taken in one day out of twenty eel weirs.”

A poet at Claregalway castle

Thu, Jul 09, 2015

Once upon a time, when a renowned bardic poet visited the castle a sort of hysteria broke out. Women ran to the kitchens to prepare hogs and stuffings for a great feast. Banners and flags were flown from the battlements. Musicians urgently practiced new songs in his  praise. Tavern keepers rolled in their best barrels of beer and wine, and weapons were nosily discarded. All prisoners and lunatics were released. Fathers were invited to bring to the fore their young daughters, so that they may be admired! 

Peg Broderick-Nicholson and the War Of Independence

Thu, Jul 02, 2015

Peg was born at 17 Prospect Hill of parents with a strong nationalist outlook. She went to school in ‘The Pres’, where after the 1916 Rising there was a pitched battle between the wearers of the red, white, and blue badges (common during World War I) and those wearing green, white, and gold badges. The green side won, but then all the badges were confiscated by Mother Brendan.

Getting rid of the troublesome women

Thu, Jul 02, 2015

One of the remedies in dealing with overcrowding, and rebellious behaviour from frustrated and angry women in the workhouses during the famine years, was assisted emigration. This was done on a massive scale. Between 1848 and 1850, 4,175 women were sent direct from the workhouse system to Australia. This was in addition to the thousands already sent away assisted by landlords and other schemes to clear the land of unproductive tenants. The only cost to the individual Poor Law unions was for new clothes, and travel expenses to Plymouth, from where the girls embarked to the colony. 

Elegant streetscape

Thu, Jun 04, 2015

There is a lovely vintage quality about this photograph of the most elegant corner in Galway, which was taken about 1950 at almost 6.15 in the afternoon. It shows how the three corner buildings, all of which are slightly rounded, complement each other. It was always known as Moon’s Corner or Dillon’s corner, never McNamara’s corner.

Ballylee - ‘To go elsewhere is to leave beauty behind’

Thu, Jun 04, 2015

In 1960 Mary Hanley forced open the wedged shut door of the cottage at Thoor Ballylee. She walked into the large damp room. For 12 productive and happy summers, the cottage and its adjoining Norman tower had been the home of WB Yeats , his wife George Hyde Lees, and their two children Anne and Michael. Now, however, the floor was covered with manure. For years it had been used as a cow barn. Pulling aside stones that had blocked exits to keep the cattle enclosed, Mary walked into the dining room, with its magnificent enlarged window overlooking the Streamstown river as it races under the four-arched bridge.

Award winning chef Stefan Matz launches new concept restaurant at Delphi Adventure Resort & Spa

Thu, Jun 04, 2015

Delphi Adventure Resort & Spa is celebrating the launch of The Chef’s Table, a concept restaurant created by newly appointed and award winning executive head chef, Stefan Matz. 

Delicious cocktails and tasty bites at Nova

Thu, Jun 04, 2015

Galway has for some years revelled in the midst of a cocktail revival that has seen several venues offer cocktails, from mojitos to crisp Martinis, that replicate the very best cocktail venues from around the globe. Galway has also had its role in the creation of new cocktails that compete at national level, along with events hosted in the city to foster new creations in Galway's bars and clubs. In recent weeks a new venue has opened in the West End that looks to gather the best of Galway's cocktail talent under one roof. This, combined with the very best in spirits, aims to show what good cocktails are all about.

Nova cocktail bar opened its doors six weeks ago, offering a dedicated venue where great drinks are served in a cool, speakeasy atmosphere by fully trained mixologists from 12 noon daily. The menu comprises some 54 select cocktails including many Nova original creations. The team is also more than happy to cater to individual tastes and spirit preferences. Nova is also offering a snack menu from 12 noon daily, including a delicious fillet steak sandwich on offer for only €8. The kitchen also serves up an amazing lunch menu with fresh sandwiches with soup served up for only €6. 

Coming soon… Galway's newest restaurants, cafés, and gastropubs

Thu, Jun 04, 2015

Summer in Galway is showing no signs of hotting up just yet. That's not the case in the food scene though. The city's culinary entrepreneurs are working hard to open a seemingly never-ending flow of new restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and more. Want to have your finger on the pulse of what's new in the Galway restaurant scene and keep one step ahead of friends and colleagues on where's going to be the next must-try new place to eat? Here is the latest news and gossip on what gastronomic delights are heading our way and the best new restaurants coming soon to the city of the tribes.

Celebrity chef to attend Joyce’s food and wine celebrations

Thu, Jun 04, 2015

Galway’s leading local supermarket, with five locations throughout the county, will host two evening celebrations of local food and international wines this month. The evenings, which are in aid of Pieta House, will see celebrity chef Neven Maguire on hand to give top cooking tips and specialised cooking demonstrations using fresh produce from Joyce’s and its suppliers.

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