‘For every illness, a herb grows nearby’

Thu, Aug 28, 2014

The Rub is an old herbal remedy that was in Dorrie Killeen’s grandmother’s family for generations.

Dorrie’s grandmother used to say, “For every illness, a herb grows nearby.”

Galway's finest food tour

Thu, Aug 21, 2014

Cork and Limerick have one and Dublin has at least three, so it was well overdue for Galway to have one also. A city rich in farming and fishing history, there are many more culinary treats to Galway than meet the eye. Sheena Dignam is more than happy to share these with us on her new food tour of the Galway Market and further afield, designed to best showcase some of our tasty treasures.

A new dining experience at An Púcán

Thu, Aug 21, 2014

On Friday June 27 this year, Galway saw the welcome return of one of its oldest bars in the form of the newly refurbished An Púcán, at 11 Forster Street just off Eyre Square. Keeping with tradition, it offers free music sessions every day, in addition to more than 150 remarkable whiskeys from Ireland and around the globe, craft beers, boutique wines, and now with a full extended food menu, An Púcán promises to be a very exciting addition to the east city dining scene.

Sunday lunch at The Ardilaun

Thu, Aug 21, 2014

The Camilaun Restaurant at The Ardilaun hotel is now offering a three course sit down lunch with tea or coffee to replace the traditional carvery lunch with soft, live, easy listening entertainment every Sunday also as an extra touch, a perfect way to while away a lazy afternoon, all for €25 per person, with extensive children’s menu also available. It is the perfect solution for celebrating a family get together, birthday, anniversary, or christening, with a free personalised birthday cake for parties of more than 10 guests.

The restaurant overlooks the hotel gardens so there is plenty of space for families to enjoy the outdoors this summer in the pleasant and safe surroundings of the grounds.

The Gunna Mórs

Thu, Aug 21, 2014

This area of the Claddagh was known as ‘the Big Grass’ or ‘the Green Grass’. It was the one open space of ground in the village and faced what is known as the Swamp today. It was very marshy, though some of it was used as a playground by local children, and it was also where the Claddagh Races took place.

The strange exile of a disillusioned ‘Buck Mulligan’

Thu, Aug 21, 2014

Following his narrow escape from Republican forces, who were intent on killing him by the banks of the Liffey that cold night in January 1923, Oliver St John Gogarty wisely took himself off to London. He immediately became the toast of polite society there who delighted in his stories and witty conversation.

Take a walk on the Wilde side

Thu, Aug 14, 2014

I have always had a soft spot for Lisloughrey Lodge, enjoyed many good meals there, and slept soundly in the lavish bedrooms. Previously, a stunning job was done on Lisloughrey, transforming it from old style country house into contemporary country hideaway with bedrooms and suites individually styled and decorated, oversized beds, deep piled carpets, dark wood furniture, and the latest flat screen technology. The heart of the hotel is a magnificent period building and behind it, new accommodation was added discreetly in two-bedroom units built around an attractive landscaped courtyard with covered walkways. Set in the grounds of Ashford Castle and now in common ownership, the hotel has one of the most beautiful locations in the country. Perched above Lough Corrib, just outside Cong, the most picturesque of village with little gift shops to peruse, cafes and pubs to refresh yourself in, ferry rides and woodland walks to amuse you. Fishing, golf and even falconry are all on your doorstep.

Colourful Gogarty escapes death by a whisker

Thu, Aug 14, 2014

A precocious and cleverly witty Trinity student in a yellow waistcoat, Oliver St John Gogarty, was to become a close friend of Sinn Féin's founder Arthur Griffith. At its first historic meeting, November 28 1905, Gogarty proclaimed against the 'tyranny of the British government', in the grand manner of a Cicero addressing the Roman senate. But so moving and compelling were his words that when Griffith reported the meeting in his newspaper The United Irishman, Gogarty's speech was the only one he quoted. And he did so at length.

Swimming in Salthill

Thu, Aug 14, 2014

Competitive swimming really began in Galway with the formation of two swimming clubs, Blackrock SC and Galway SC. Both were formed in 1930.

Service with a smile

Thu, Aug 07, 2014

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” - JRR Tolkien.

Rest easy with better bedding

Thu, Aug 07, 2014

With a reputation for great service and quality products, Better Bedding celebrates more than 20 years of ensuring its customers get a decent night’s sleep.

Get the best blinds, canopies, and awnings from Acme Blinds

Thu, Aug 07, 2014

Make the most of your outdoor space during the warm, sunny days of August with a canopy or awning to provide shade from the sun or cover from the rain.

Brighten up your home with strawberries and cream

Thu, Aug 07, 2014

Strawberries and cream anyone? The delightful new Strawberry collection from Irish potters Shannonbridge is available in Kilkenny Shops nationwide and online at kilkennyshop.com, home to Ireland’s largest range of Irish designers.

A family run business based in Co Offaly, Shannonbridge is renowned for its range of cute and quirky contemporary Irish pottery. Each piece of pottery is finished with intricate detail and care – Shannonbridge works with trained artists to develop its patterns and designs.

Kiloughter long ago

Thu, Aug 07, 2014

This photograph of Carrabrowne National School was taken in 1936 and shows, back row, left to right: Pete Keane, Carrabrowne; Jimmy O’Brien, Kiloughter; Davey Corcoran, Carrabrowne; Willie Glynn, Kiloughter; Francis Corcoran, Carrabrowne; Stephen O’Brien, Carrabrowne; Mattie Casserley, Kiloughter; Willie Higgins, Ballindooley; Stephen O’Brien, Kiloughter; Mickey McGrath, Ballindooley; Tom Costelloe, Kiloughter; and Stephen Birmingham, Kiloughter.

The poetic connection between Galway and Gogarty

Thu, Aug 07, 2014

Galway
A grey town in a country bare,

Family dining at Mulberry's of Barna

Thu, Jul 31, 2014

One of our favourite family spots has to be Mulberry’s restaurant in the village of Barna, on the coast road to Spiddal, close enough to Galway city to be almost considered a suburb. Set back from the main road, in a line of pretty shops, this is usually a busy spot with well thought out menus and family friendly dining. The two very hands-on owners, James and Deirdre Cunningham, are blessed with a good chef, Ziggy Kolanczyk. There is real focus on local seasonal produce and James himself can often be found foraging among the rocks on the local shores. The quality of ingredients, reasonable prices, and the casual elegance of the decor all adds up to a very good dining experience, with an emphasis on seafood and European style cuisine. Parking is both ample and free and the sky blue frontage is conveniently located next door to Ali’s Fish Shop, so you are guaranteed the seafood will be as fresh as can be.

Sunday lunch at The Ardilaun

Thu, Jul 31, 2014

The Camilaun Restaurant at The Ardilaun hotel is now offering a three course sit down lunch with tea or coffee to replace the traditional Sunday carvery lunch. The restaurant also provides soft, live, easy listening entertainment every Sunday as an extra touch, a perfect way to while away a lazy afternoon, all for €25 per person, with extensive children’s menu also available. It is the perfect solution for celebrating a family get together, birthday, anniversary, or christening, with a free personalised birthday cake for parties of more than 10 guests.

The Jesuit church

Thu, Jul 31, 2014

On this day, July 31, in 1863, “The new Church of St Ignatius on the Sea Road in the vicinity of the city was dedicated by the Most Rev Dr McEvilly, Lord Bishop of Galway. Sea Road is one of the most fashionable and frequented thoroughfares in the suburbs of our city. The Church, which was commenced in 1861, is now complete with the exception of the organ, altar and some minor internal decorations; and we have no doubt the zeal of the faithful will only require such a desirable opportunity of enabling the Jesuit Fathers, whose excellent judgement in these matters is fully acknowledged, to complete the required improvements, and that nothing shall be wanted which the good taste of the architect can suggest to make everything perfect. The Church is built of hammered limestone ashlar work in courses. The south gable, or principal front, the spire and the quoins, dressings etc, being finely punched and the depths of the jambs and arches of the principal doors and windows, which are richly moulded, adds greatly to its appearance. The Church, which is Gothic in style, is in the form of a Latin Cross, 115 feet in extreme length, 36 feet wide and 70 feet across the transepts, 56 to the ridge and 110 to the top of the spire”.

Clarinbridge goes Rustic

Thu, Jul 24, 2014

In the pretty town of Clarinbridge, a picturesque pub, Sherry's Bar, provides a surprising venue for Rustic Grub. Recently opened in a village already well supplied with good cafes and tea-rooms, it has hit the ground running — which says a lot about chef Maria McNeela and the ethos she has brought with her. There are very few people who could match the passion and respect that she has for food, and the menu reflects this in a variety of ways. She has found a space to showcase the best that the west has to offer and cooks in the Irish tradition — unrestrained, imaginative, and dedicated to pleasure — maternalism at its finest.

The tennis club

Thu, Jul 24, 2014

The Galway Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club was founded at a meeting in the Royal Hotel, Eyre Square, on May 19, 1900. Many of the founders were members of the British army, the landed gentry, and the professions such as doctors, solicitors, professors, etc. Membership was by invitation only so there was a certain elitism attached to the club in the early days.

E-paper

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