‘ When I drop this handkerchief, fire and spare no man’

Thu, Jan 15, 2015

Perhaps fearing that the refusal by Irish soldiers to carry out army duties in Wellington Barracks at Jullundur, northeast India, on June 27 1920; and that the mutiny would spread to an already sympathetic native population, leading to a general protest such as at Amritsar the previous year, the army authorities quickly took decisive action. The commanding officer, Lt Col Leeds, strode into the crowd of excited and rebellious soldiers, demanding to speak to its two leaders John Flannery and Joe Hawes. He warned the men that they could be shot for this; that such behaviour only excited the natives to rebellion. Hawes, smoking a cigarette, replied that he would rather be killed by an Indian bullet than by a British one (His disrespectful attitude to his commanding officer was noted).

Calling all ‘Pres’ past pupils

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

Two hundred years ago (on October 27 1815) the first Presentation Sisters came to Galway and founded the first Catholic schools for girls in the city. They moved in to Kirwan’s Lane, then to Eyre Square for three years, before settling into a vacant house in the suburbs, which has been known as the Presentation Convent ever since.

Two boys from Loughrea

Thu, Jan 08, 2015

At the beginning of the last century, two boys grew up together in Loughrea. Socially they were far apart, but they were great friends. John Oliver was from a particularly poor background. His family lived in a tiny lean-to shack out on the Galway road on the edge of the town. His friend was Tom Wall, who lived in a comfortable house on Patrick Street. John enjoyed visiting their home.  His friend played with a band, The Saharas, and there was often music and fun in their house, shared by his brother Ray, and their attractive sister Cissie.

Exercise your motivation at The Coast Club

Tue, Dec 30, 2014

Whether you are an habitual exerciser or just starting out on the road to fitness, you will encounter a time when your motivation level will suffer. Sometimes it may even drop off a cliff.

Here are some motivation tips to keep you on track.

New Year, new you — twenty four hour fitness for 2015 at Active Fitness

Tue, Dec 30, 2014

Get 2015 off to a healthy start at Active Fitness & Leisure, The Connacht Hotel, Dublin Road, Renmore.

Not only will the facility be open 24 hours a day from January 5, but there are budget friendly memberships available with three, six, and 12 month options to suit your budget. Also available are pool only memberships, if you prefer a different pace for your fitness.

Glam to go for New Year’s Eve

Tue, Dec 30, 2014

We all love getting glammed up for New Year’s Eve, and now’s the time to make sure you have all your beauty essentials ready for the big night.

New Year discounts at Áil Rúin

Tue, Dec 30, 2014

Áil Rúin’s New Year sale has officially begun, with discounts of up to 50 per cent off almost everything in store.

Memories of Sonny Molloy

Tue, Dec 23, 2014

Sonny (whose real name was Joseph) was born 89 years ago, one of six children to Patrick and Mary Molloy of St Brendan’s Road in Woodquay. He went to the ‘Mon’ where he learned to play football among other things. A match report in a local paper once carried the headline “Five Goal Molloy”, a fact which he managed to drop into conversation many times over the years. Chatting with him could be unnerving as he laced his chat with colourful sayings like “Long drawers”, “Bring up the bucket”, “Th’oul suit turned well”, ’44 short’, “I hate small men”, and of course his famous draper’s mantra, “We have your size”.

Six Furey brothers did not return to Loughrea

Tue, Dec 23, 2014

When it comes to the story of Galway and World War I there is no better man than William Henry. He came upon ‘the secrets in the attic shoe box’ some years ago when writing in a parish magazine he mentioned a relation of his in that war, and surprisingly opened a Pandora’s Box. People met him on the streets and told him that their grandfather, great-uncle, or cousin, or family friend also fought in that war. They had a box of their medals and uniform, letters or diaries somewhere at home.

Galway driving instructor named as RSA Leading Light for second year running

Tue, Dec 23, 2014

Philip Rice, Instructor and Managing Director of Advance Drive School of Motoring in Salthill, Galway has won the prestigious Leading Lights in Road Safety Award for Approved Driving Instructor of the Year 2014 for the Truck Category.

Mr Rice was presented with the award by Liz O’Donnell Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority. He scooped the nationwide award for a second year running after winning the award in 2013 for his recognition and contribution to road safety.

RTÉ Today Show searching for Galway’s heroes

Tue, Dec 23, 2014

Everybody knows them, the trojans of the local community who do hours of voluntary work and never seek any recognition.This could be anyone from the life saving doctor, to the jersey washer at the local GAA club. Is there a member of your community who goes that extra mile?

RTE’s Today Show wants to celebrate the local hero in your community. 

High Street facades

Thu, Dec 18, 2014

Galway Grammar School was founded by Erasmus Smith about 1667 in a temporary premises and it moved to High Street about 1684. An entry in the records for January 22 1684 reads: “That Dr. John Coghill be desired to write unto Mr. Patrick Mains in Gallaway that he will more particularly inspect the house there belonging unto Sir Robert Ward concerning the necessary repairs to make it convenient for a school and a commodious dwelling for the schoolmaster and usher and for boarders lodgings that it will amount to.”

Thirty nine stories from south Galway

Thu, Dec 18, 2014

Before the cattle marts took over the selling of livestock and farm produce, that important aspect  of farming took place on fair days. The main street or the square of the town would become a heaving mass of people, animals, carts and stalls. The marts offered a point for disease control, and traceability that eventually became the norm. But before that, to pass through a town on a fair day was to witness  rural Ireland in full flow. Fairs were busy, messy, and lively occasions, and  very much looked forward to by both the shop keeping  and farming communities. There was a May Fair, an August Fair and another around December 8. Not only were animals bought and sold, but friends met, couples exchanged glances; clothes and boots were bought, and glasses of porter sealed a deal.

Fair days were landmark occasions in the busy farming year, and their importance is a constant reference point in an unusual and revealing book (Two Cigarettes Coming down the Boreen), by Pauline Bermingham Scully who recorded the stories of 39 people living in south Galway from the 1930s. *

A postcard of Toft’s Amusements

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

The Toft family were associated with Eyre Square for many years since 1883 when they first brought a carnival there.

Ghosts of Galway’s past

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

One of the mysteries of Galway is that curious phrase under the west facing clock on the Galway Camera Shop on William  Street, which says: Dublin Time. The fact that now the clock shows ordinary winter time only adds to the mystery. But not so long ago Galwegians, delighting in the longer days of sunlight than in the east of the country, and displaying an oddity that makes living in Galway a pleasure, set their clocks a full eleven and an half minutes behind Dublin. However, trains had to run to a standardised timetable otherwise transport chaos would ensue. The timetable was set at Dublin time (linked, like the rest of the civilised world, to Greenwich Mean Time), so  as Galwegians hurried to the station they could glance at the clock, and probably have to put on speed (perhaps Galway Time explains why most meetings here are usually 11 minutes late?).

Warm tidings - tips for a safe and warm festive break

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

OFTEC which represents the domestic oil heating industry has issued advice to householders on how to keep warm, save money, stay safe, and avoid home heating disasters over the festive period.

The trade organisation issued warm tidings in the form of tips to help householders enjoy the break and prevent the potential nightmare of frozen pipes and potentially costly boiler breakdowns.

SVP says energy efficient homes bring real savings but inadequate income is main cause of fuel poverty

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

Research on the income and accommodation of a sample group of household types supported by the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has found that while inadequate income is the main cause of energy poverty making homes more energy efficient brings real benefits.

Give your health a helping hand at Health and Herbs

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

Over-indulgence, extra activities, late nights and increased socialising puts additional pressure on your immune and digestive systems.

Twenty four hour fitness at Connacht Hotel’s Active Fitness and Leisure facility

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

The Connacht Hotel’s Active fitness and Leisure facility will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week from January bringing fitness to Galwegians in a more flexible way.

Be fit for anything this Christmas

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

Here are four easy tips to stay fit this festive season from the Coast Club at the Connemara Coast Hotel

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