Now is the time to invest in the perfect outside space

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

If you have decided to invest in transforming the outside of your home, now is the best time of the year to get started.

Galway-made natural weedkiller offers organic solution to weeds

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

Irish Organic Weed Killer was developed in 2009 by Galway businessman Oisin Concannon. Conscious of the dangers of chemicals to children and pets, he was looking for a non-toxic weedkiller in his local hardware stores. He discovered that no 100 per cent natural weedkiller existed in the Irish market and set about developing a natural Irish-made alternative to chemical weedkillers.

He then set up Irish Organic Weed Killer, which developed and launched Ireland’s first 100 per cent natural weedkiller in 2010 and is now one of Ireland's leading brands in the herbicide market. Irish Organic Weed Killer first entered the market with a one litre ready to use spray bottle and has expanded its range to nine pack sizes spread across three different products. With the introduction of a new three litre pack size in a handy ready to use bottle, a three litre refill, and a 100 per cent natural path and patio cleaner, Irish Organic Weed Killer has cornered the market. The company now also produces 10 litre and 20 litre sizes to cater for the amenity market.

Decorate, renovate, and protect with B&C Paint Centre

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

It is that time of year again when you get the urge to cheer up your home with a dash of colour and perhaps give the kitchen units a new look. It is cheaper to paint units than to replace them, and easier than you think.

At B&C Paint Centre you can choose from a vast range of Tikkurila or Dulux paints, both of which are quality assured. Decorate and protect your wood with the specialists from Finland, the leaders in this field – Tikkurila is a paint you can trust. For that luxurious pearl effect, try Taika — ask to see samples in the shop where many other special finishes are also available and where highly qualified staff will be able to give professional and helpful advice.

Sleep tight

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

When the alarm goes off in the morning do you spring out of bed, eager to face the new day? Or maybe you linger a little longer mentally building yourself up to the challenge of leaving blanketstreet? Or do you press the snooze button and go back to sleep?

Dredging the river

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

Alexander Nimmo made a survey of Lough Corrib almost 200 years ago in which he wrote the following: “The lake has 50 miles of shore, occupies 30,000 Irish acres and contains 1,000 acres of arable land in its isles, and contracts into a very spacious river about two and a half miles above Galway, which, flowing by the town, communicated with the Atlantic. The fall from the summit lake to the sea is considerable, but to the Wood Quay, above the town, it is trifling, and the river is in parts very shallow, running over a bed of rocks and hard gravel. It is not navigable from the sea to the Wood Quay, owing to the shallowness and rapidity of the water, and none but small boats can come down; but, unless in very dry seasons, it is thence navigable by boats drawing four feet of water and carrying from ten to twenty tons, with one square sail and four men, to Cong. They seldom sail unless before the wind, and though the lake has many islets and sunken rocks, the only serious difficulty in navigation is at Buachally Shoal about four miles up the lake, and at Newcastle. These shoals could be deepened for a small sum and the whole made to admit vessels of much greater magnitude. This fine navigation which extends about 30 miles, and into a seaport town, seems to deserve more attention than it has yet received. A good chart with soundings and sailing directions, should be published, the shoals or rocks cleared or beaconed, and a communication opened with the sea.”

The place where St Patrick wrestled with a bull...

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

That great observer of landscape Tim Robinson reminds us that Connemara is full of saints. Perhaps there isn’t a saint in the place today, but they were certainly there in profusion in earlier times. Looking around him from the heights of Errislannan, near Clifden, Tim observes that practically every one of the headlands and islands that he sees has its saint. There is St Roc at Little Killary, St Colmán on Inishboffin, St Ceannanach at Cleggan, St Féichín in Omey and High Island, and all the saints in the tangled archipelagos east of Carna, Bearchan, Breacán, and Enda; and the obscure Mocán or Smocán of Barr an Doire near An Cheathrú Rua, ‘and finally the great St Colm Cille who has all the south Connemara coast under his protection...’ But no St Patrick. I can only surmise that Connemara has so much beauty, so many stories of its people and places, its own music, magic and legends, that even the sandalled steps, and gentle words of the great Irish saint would have come and gone unnoticed.

Cheaters’ guide to Brown Thomas

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

One shortcut that I take in Brown Thomas regularly (and you can too!) is that I will visit each counter and department, simply asking “what’s amazing here?” It is a true short cut to success. It will help if you can add, as a by the way, that you love the sophisticated seventies look, or that you are sticking to the sharp feminine lines of the Mad Men era, or that you are a pared down kind of girl, or more is more with you, whatever your style is, reveal it. Be specific but not close minded. Nothing is written in stone, especially when it comes to style. The experts on cosmetics and fashion can steer you down the right path to achieve your desired look. If you are unsure what the best look for you is, ask one of the stylists. It is a complimentary service and she will spend time with you to determine what works best. Then the fun starts. Sometimes what is amazing will not necessarily be what works for you, but it is fun to know what is current and may influence your aesthetic in other ways. Soak it all in. A cohesive(ish) theme tends to run through cosmetics and fashions for every season.

Spring style ideas for all occasions

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

Spring fashion kicked of at last week’s Milano’s Fashion Show where boutiques from the county revealed little gems, giving us some great style ideas and a glimpse of what we can expect to update our wardrobe this season.

Basilico at The Old School House, Clarinbridge

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

I have been asked many times if I knew why Basilico had opened a second restaurant in Clarinbridge, just a couple of miles away from its main operation in Oranmore. It did seem a strange move in these uncertain times, so I decided to ask the owners what lay behind this venture. The answer has many parts but the main reason is that they have been so busy every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Oranmore they have had to refuse bookings every week. That kind of problem is one most restaurateurs would give their eye teeth to have. They also liked the building and the though of having a ‘restaurant only’ premises appealed. However this in no way will affect Oranmore where they will continue to serve the same food at the same prices in the bar and restaurant areas.

Galway Community Acupuncture — affordable and accessible

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

The aim of Galway Community Acupuncture is to make acupuncture more accessible by making it more affordable. Treatments are provided in a comfortable and relaxed group setting. This way more than one person can be treated at a time, which allows the cost to be significantly lower. Treatments are offered on a sliding fee scale of €25 to €45.

The initial consultation is taken in a private room with a careful review of the client’s health history and current symptoms. Clients remain fully clothed during treatment and relax in comfortable reclining chairs.

Champion hairdresser now creating rave reviews in Galway

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

Mary Duffy at MOHH Hair Couture at the Radisson Blu Hotel is one of Ireland’s most experienced hair extension stylists, having won six international and European medals in hair extension application, style, and care. Ms Duffy, who was ranked fourth in the world at the World Hairdressing Championships, enjoys the creativity that goes with hair extensions. She welcomes anyone thinking about hair extensions to make an appointment for a free consultation with her. She will advise on temporary or long term types, ie, pre-bonds, tape, micro beads, wire, flip/clip-in, etc. Remember hair extensions can add colour as well as length and bulk. Mary Duffy is also experienced in all other aspects of hairdressing, from upstyling to cutting to colouring. For an appointment call

See the difference at Athenry Opticians

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

At Athenry Opticians, Ailbhe Ní Ráighne and her staff pride themselves on the friendly, relaxed, atmosphere within the practice and the rapport they have with their patients.

All patients are given at least a half an hour consultation where all aspects of their vision and eye care are discussed. Ailbhe Ní Ráighne believes the key to successful patient care is for the optometrist to communicate effectively by listening, asking the right questions, and taking the patient’s lifestyle and needs into consideration. All this information is used to provide patients with solutions that optimise their vision and comfort.

Revolutionary Image peels dramatically improve your skin after only thirty minutes

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

Image Skincare is the newest cosmeceutical line to be available at Therapie Clinic in Galway.

Cosmeceutical skincare is where pharmaceutical meets cosmetic. These products contain high levels of active ingredients such as glycolic acids, enzymes, retinol, salycylic acid, amino acids, and peptides. However it is the delivery system of these ingredients that is the key to how effective they are, as well as the skincare consultation and analysis that determines the right products and treatments being prescribed for each individual client.

Ten steps to good health

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

1. Eat healthily. Try to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables. When doing your grocery shop stock up on healthy snacks, such as rice cakes, celery, cucumber and low-fat cheese. Try to incorporate wholemeal foods, bread and pasta and low fat yoghurt into your diet, too. Avoid sugary and fried foods and salt as much as possible. Grill, bake, microwave but steer away from frying. Watch out for the hidden fats in creams and sauces as well.

Get the job done with Queen of Clean

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

Imagine a cleaning company employing teams of highly trained cleaning staff to deliver a top quality cleaning service for your home.

Let Barons help you spring clean, renovate or move house

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

Are you doing your annual spring clean, planning on renovating or about to move house? If so then call Barons Self Storage and see how easy we can make everything for you.

Donate a piece of furniture for Galway Simon’s auction

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

Following the massive success of the Galway Simon Community auction last October, the community will hold another auction in its furniture store on Shantalla Road on Saturday April 2 at 1pm. This auction will be another eclectic mix of antique, vintage, and quirky furniture and collectibles. From Victorian to retro, there will be something to appeal to all tastes and pockets. Better still is the fact that there will be no commission charges or buyer’s premium.

If you have a pre-loved piece of furniture in excellent condition that you would like to see raise vital funds for men and women in Galway who are homeless, then contact the Galway Simon Community at (091) 584962 or email [email protected]. All of the proceeds from the auction will go directly towards providing food, accommodation, and support to people who are homeless.

Nuns Island about one hundred years ago

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

In the 19th century Nuns Island was part of the industrial heartland of Galway. The 1911 census tells us that the street comprised two lodging houses, Grace’s Asylum, the Presbyterian Church, a ladies’ school, a fever hospital, Her Majesty’s Prison, a brewery and malt house, St Joseph’s Seminary, two flour mills, a granite works, and the Poor Clares Convent as well as the various residences.

Salthill garden will remember the ‘kindness of strangers’

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

In one of the strangest ironies of fate that I ever heard was the day, early 2006, when the renowned Irish singer Eleanor Shanley called into Charlie Lennon’s Cuan Recording Studios in Spiddal. Eleanor, with her distinctive, rich lyrical voice, was looking for a new song. She talked to her friend Éamonn Goggin, a sound engineer at Cuan. Éamonn’s passion was music. He loved nothing more than sharing his knowledge with friends. He enthused about a song written by Mike Scott of the Waterboys and Anthony Thistlethwaite, called ‘Strange Boat’. It was written some years ago, but it was a great song, that just needed some updating, a new look. ‘ We’re sailing on a Strange Boat/ Heading for a strange shore/ Carrying the strangest cargo / That was ever hauled aboard....’ Éamonn said it was ideally suited for Eleanor’s voice.

How to wear this season’s trends — seventies

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

Inspired by iconic movies and celebrities such as Diane Keaton in Interiors, the seventies styles are this season’s hottest trend.

The seventies look incorporates modern and original styles, lean, long, and fluid silhouettes, bright colours, and bold patterns. Flowing maxi dresses, flared trousers, denim, shorts, and A-line skirts are among the statement pieces for this look.

E-paper

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