Developments in Ballybrit

Thu, Jul 31, 2008

Racing in County Galway took place on a number of courses at the beginning of the 19th century... Kilconnell, Eyrecourt, Brook Lodge (near Tuam), Rahassan, Ballinasloe, Ballymoe, Dunmore, Athenry, Bermingham Hunt (run by John Dennis, Bermingham House, Tuam), and Carraroe Hunt. Only seven of these courses were extant at the dawn of the 20th century.

A King of the Jungle foiled by the King of the Jungle!

Thu, Jul 31, 2008

IT’S A FACT, but a sad fact if you are a bookmaker, that no matter what a punter’s losses are, if he hears that it was a bad day for even one bookmaker, he smiles as he tells his wife the annual fib, that he lost only half what he really lost.

Ray McBride — a profile

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Ray McBride was born in Bohermore, the son of Bobby and Kathleen. He was educated in the Claddagh National School and in Saint Mary’s College. He was always very athletic and tried his hand at a number of sports. He was no good at rugby and his Gaelic football career was cut short by a broken wrist, but he was a nifty soccer player.

Sligo must be punished, but how?

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

The Galway Arts Festival has become such an enormous event (in fact it is now an international event of significance), that it is a bit like the Lisbon Treaty: You can’t see all of it; and while many of us see its value to the community, there are parts of it I don’t quite like.

Fine forecourt dining

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Where could you get a dinner of braised lamb shank with roast potatoes and peas, cooked by a chef who has worked with Paul Rankin of Gourmet Ireland fame, for €6.99? The answer is at the Spar Express shop in the Corrib Filling Station at the Hill in Loughrea. I called in there recently and decided to browse the deli counter. I was surprised to see a selection of main courses just removed from the oven. They had roast breast of turkey cut in very thick juicy slices, roast of beef, lamb shanks, and pork pieces in a barbecue sauce.

They looked so good I chatted to the chef, Brian, who told me that it was his aim to produce restaurant quality food in a filling station kitchen, with full main courses costing only €5.99 or €6.99. He has 13 years’ experience in restaurant chefing, and with experience like working for Paul Rankin he knows what he is about. I tasted the pork pieces and they were way ahead of my expectations, very tasty and melt in the mouth. The lamb shank had been cooked for 2.5 hours and fell of the bone. He also does bacon and cabbage and emphasised that he uses collar bacon for flavour. The potatoes are perfectly roasted in the oven and not deep fried as is often the case in filling stations.

Teriyaki pork with beansprouts and carrot salad

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

This is tasty low fat dish, but you don’t have to be on a diet to enjoy it!

Take the cooler route to a new fridge

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

A new fridge is a major investment, and not one to be taken lightly. With so many models and features now available, finding the fridge that's right for you and your family requires some planning and a good deal of shopping around.

Let Pat McDonnell give your home a colour class

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Have you ever fretted over what colour to paint your living room? Ever wished that you could get the opinion of a professional designer to pick the perfect colour combination for your home?

gardening with Anne McKeon

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Though plants should form the backbone of our gardens, including features and decorative objects can add the finishing touches and give an insight to the personality of the gardener.

My garden is just an extension of my own personality with plants as reminders of places visited and people met, with patio furniture made by my father from materials collected by me or gifted to me, pots, ornaments acquired over time, and so on. Every piece in the garden tells a story. What does your garden say about you?

For King and Country

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

It’s very hard to describe a true Irishman, without acknowledging that we all share a complicated inheritance. At no time was that complication more powerfully amplified than in the crisis of identity leading up to and during War World I. On the one side is the unionist image of Irish Protestants loyally, and exclusively, rallying to the Union Jack, and sealing that union with their blood; while on the other side, the Catholic and nationalist men and women, the people of the 1916 Rising, who represent the ‘true’ Ireland, in sharp contrast to the misguided Irishmen slaughtered in France on the altar of British imperialism.

Cases of bubbles

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

To mark the final in our short series of Cases Wine Warehouse wine columns, we are finishing in style by covering that most celebratory of drinks — champagne, or sparkling wine. Bubbly used to be for very special occasions but now, thanks to the great value on offer from all over the world, it is for any special occasion! Bubbles in wine bring celebrations to life. They bring an immediate sense of occasion to any event. Sparkling wines are the wine world’s way of saying “thank you”, “well done”, “congratulations”, “let the show go on”, or “it’s Friday!”.

Raclette — the DIY cheese dinner

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

What is raclette? It is an uncooked semi-hard cheese and its name is derived from the French verb racler, which means to scrape. There are lots of factory made raclette cheeses, however the one I am recommending is made by a very famous cheese maker Marcel Petite and comes from the Jura mountain region in France.

Get cooking... Pork

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

Pork is a delicious, versatile, and healthy meal option that can be prepared and ready in minutes. Pork is a great option either as a tasty simple meal for one, or a delicious family feast that gives value for money. These recipes can also be finished on the barbecue for a perfect outdoor treat.

Get dressed at A Wear

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

A Wear currently has a great selection of dresses which will make an impression without breaking the bank. Here’s a selection of the styles currently available in store.

Conquer the elements with ZO1

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

ZO1 is based on a form of zinc oxide which is invisible when rubbed into the skin, providing a high level of protection against UVA and UVB rays. Try out these gems from ZO1 for your next getaway:

Bathe in luxury in the ‘Stone One’

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

The critically acclaimed ‘Stone One’ bathtub from Aquamass has become a classic well-established icon in bathrooms across the world. Thanks to its line of purity, its curves and rounding shape, its sweet appearance and soft touch, this bathtub is synonymous with emotion, generosity, sensuality, and femininity.

Gain an extra room the easy way

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

Is your home feeling crowded? Are you starting a business and need space for an office, or would you just like to have a spare room for when guests stay over? The extra space needed for you and your family may already be in your home. With Fides Contracts conversions you can seamlessly and cost-effectively extend your living space and add value to your home by converting your garage, your attic, or even your garden shed.

Making the best use out of your existing space and buildings is the most cost effective and easy way to create additional living space. With so many options available all you have to decide is how to best use your new found space. A spare bedroom, a playroom for the kids, a room to entertain in, or even a quiet area where you can retreat to and relax after those stressful days at work, your options are endless!

Blue is the colour

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

The colour blue is, in my opinion, a very classy colour adding a sharpness to any garden setting. It conjures up images on the one hand of Mediterranean holidays, azure skies and seas, while on the other hand reflects the ‘moody blues’. It is in effect a very versatile colour. Mix with it minor shades of blue such as lavenders and mauves and you have a very calming setting, which is of course something that we all strive for in our ‘fast lane’ lives.

E-paper

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