The challenge of Crusheen Bridge

Thu, Dec 30, 2010

Not everything was wasted during the Celtic Tiger years. Galway has benefited greatly from the motorway to Dublin, as well as the Gort by-pass, which gives motorists a clear run to Limerick on the impressive M18. No one will be sorry to see the end of the Crusheen right-angled turn under an impossible railway bridge. Artics needed the whole road to make the turn, causing delays and gasps of incredulity at the narrowness and the danger of it all.

Winter dry skin rescue with Voya

Thu, Dec 30, 2010

Is your skin feeling the effects of winter exposure? Even the most cared for skin can end up rebelling against winter elements of wind, central heating, and cold, harsh weather. Voya’s new Time to Shine body buff will rescue your skin and deliver skin radiance. This hard working body four-in-one buffing scrub tackles cleansing, toning, skin balancing, and dead skin removal, bringing a new level of softness and suppleness to your skin.

Massive reductions at B&Q New Year sale

Thu, Dec 30, 2010

Shoppers will see up to 60 per cent off all kitchen doors and drawer fronts, up to 60 per cent off all Cooke & Lewis bathrooms suites and shower enclosures, and up to 60 per cent off all Cooke & Lewis modular bedroom doors and drawer fronts in the B&Q New Year sale. Also until January 10 customers will receive an additional 15 per cent off if they spend €100 or more — excluding delivery charges — in one transaction in any of these departments.

Sales fever

Thu, Dec 23, 2010

Christmas is almost upon us. While we are all getting ready to celebrate this special occasion and enjoy some quality time with family and friends at the back of some of our minds are thoughts of the next major event in the festive calendar - the Christmas sales.

La Maison Chic celebrates twenty five years of Marian’s boutique with a new design

Thu, Dec 23, 2010

Celebrating 25 years in Galway city, Marian’s is saying thank you and inviting customers to call into the newly refurbished store to collect a free gift.

Christmas survival guide

Thu, Dec 23, 2010

Family pressures at Christmas
It can be easy at Christmas to get caught up in this maelstrom of emotions and begin to expect that because it is Christmas all tensions and family disagreements should be forgotten. While Christmas is often a time of forgiveness and coming together, the pressures on families to have a wonderful time, free of stresses and full of fun, can be too much.

It can be easy at Christmas to get caught up in this maelstrom of emotions and begin to expect that because it is Christmas all tensions and family disagreements should be forgotten. While Christmas is often a time of forgiveness and coming together, the pressures on families to have a wonderful time, free of stresses and full of fun, can be too much.

How to get the best from your wines

Thu, Dec 23, 2010

Over the last few years we have seen a massive growth in the supply of wines from all over the world, some good, some not so good. We have seen changes like screw caps, initially scorned by all, now accepted in homes and restaurants all around the world. One curious fact about screw caps is that they have been accepted more readily by women, while men still hanker after the traditional corkscrew. Personally, I have only had one bad wine from a screw cap, but several from bottles with corks.

Raven Terrace

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

This evocative photograph of Phil Coyne’s Claddagh Bar was originally taken about 40 years ago. The shawled lady was Biddy (or ‘Bideen’) King from the Claddagh. The bar was situated on the corner of Raven Terrace, where McGuire’s shop is today. To the left of the pub was a sweet shop, which was owned by two sisters, Hanna and Sheila Gannon, one of whom wore mini-skirts long before they became fashionable. To the left of that again was John and Annie Connolly’s bar. They also kept lodgers, and one of those who stayed there was Edward McGuire who was a mechanic in Higgins’ Garage. His wife to be, Ethel Corbett, worked around the corner in George Gay’s furniture shop, and when they decided to get married, they bought Connolly’s and changed the name to McGuire’s Bar.

Christmas shopping without the tears

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

Christmas has crept up again. A time for joy to the world, and peace among men or, conversely, of panicked late night shopping, and the anxiety that accompanies the realisation that you have exactly seven minutes before shops close. It's Christmas Eve, and you are empty-handed (aside from, if you are like me, a few little presents that you accidentally got for yourself). That perfect gift has eluded you once more, and all the time you thought you had, as you browsed nonchalantly, has vanished into the ether. Aimless wandering is one thing, but the real challenge comes when setting out with a specific, particularly hard to please person in mind. This can lead to blind panic, often resulting in decidedly bad choices. I aim to, at best, give something of practical use to the recipient, preferably something that they wouldn't buy for themselves, or, at the least (and this is perhaps the last refuge of the desperate), to knock a laugh out of them. Some notable failures include impulsively bought jewellery, assorted DVDs (which now lurk, mockingly, on the shelf, still clad in their original cellophane), and a festive geansaí, which, upon opening, was immediately earmarked for return. One year out of frustration and laziness I bought a friend a book that I suspected she would never open, but that I wanted to read. After an appropriate waiting period I 're-gifted' it to myself, and everyone was happy – I got the brownie points and the goods. This year I hope to avoid the blunders of the past, and furnish my nearest and dearest with things that will, without hyperbole, change their lives for the better.

How to dress for your party age

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

It can be difficult to decide what to wear for the party season when the shops are awash with everything from one-shoulder jewelled cocktail numbers to embellished shift dresses. The little black dress is the easy option, but if you want to try something new here are other style ideas that can be mixed with high street and designers pieces.

A most important test

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

We live in a colourful world with rainbows of colour everywhere we look. The hair colour business is no different, with an array of shades available to the client. Blondes, coppers, browns, brunettes, or reds in highlights, lowlights, slashes or splashes of colour or all over — clients are spoilt for choice.

Notes for the season

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

If you find yourself with your hands covering your ears and looking like that deranged subject in Edvard Munch’s famous painting, you have probably left your tricky gifts for last. Brown Thomas has six solutions below:

Christmas presents for foodies and cakes for everyone

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

In the aftermath of the boom times, most people have all kinds of toys in the kitchen, many of which remain unused and perhaps even unopened. So many gadgets seem like a great idea at the time, but do you really need 50 cookbooks, or three different types of garlic crusher, or a beetroot slicer? The first thing to consider if buying such an item is, would I use this myself, and also to ask the shop it if can be returned after Christmas if the recipient wants to do so.

Slimming tea craze has hit Galway

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

The tea everyone has been talking about is now available at Therapie Clinic on Shop Street, Galway. Many celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lindsay Lohan, Eva Longoria, and Courtney Love are known to rave about this tea as part of their daily diet.

“We have not been able to keep Cho Yung Tea in stock since it's arrival,” said Therapie manager, Deirdre O'Dowd. “We've clients coming in all the time telling us their search for Cho Yung Tea in Ireland was in vain until they were told about Therapie.”

Survive festive overindulgence with milk thistle

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

One in seven adults drink more than they mean to over Christmas, but for all those revellers there is a solution to Christmas overindulgence. A Vogel Milk Thistle Complex is a cleansing herbal remedy that restores your body to full function after too much Christmas cheer.

Stay healthy and happy this Christmas

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

Christmas is a time when our digestive and immune systems come under attack from rich foods, excess alcohol and, in the run up to the big day — stress.

Cold comfort

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

Colds are one of the most common ailments of the winter months. Almost 90 per cent of adults get a cold at least once or twice a year, according to the latest research.

Some will catch several and will be laid low for days by this infection which affects the upper respiratory tract.

Shantallow House

Thu, Dec 09, 2010

Our photograph today shows two young girls, Marie Scanlon and her sister from Shantalla, standing in front of Shantallow house in the mid 1940s. Prior to the building of the council houses we know as Shantalla, this house was more or less surrounded by green fields. At one time the house was owned by a distinguished engineer named William Blood, who was related to the Maunsell family from across the road in Fort Eyre. Blood’s nephew was George Johnson Stoney who was professor of natural philosophy in Queen’s College, Galway, from 1853 to 1857, and who lived in this house during that time. He was a distinguished amateur scientist who worked for a time as Lord Rosse’s astronomer at his large telescope in Birr. Stoney was the person who coined the name ‘electron’. He later became the secretary to the Queen’s Colleges, so he made a significant contribution.

There is no need for a £250 Heston Blumenthal pudding this Christmas

Thu, Dec 09, 2010

While most of us will be readying ourselves for the tried and tested turkey/ham/spuds Christmas Day combination, there are now more alternatives available in Galway than ever before. Our markets – both the St Nicholas' weekly market and the 'Christkindlmarkt' in Eyre Square – our restaurants and food emporiums now offer a broad array of options for those of us not brimming over with joie de vivre at the prospect of a week of heavy duty turkey consumption.

Bagging Christmas bargains

Thu, Dec 09, 2010

Picture the scene. It’s late November. You are busy refurbishing your home. Everything is in disarray, even finding two matching killer heeled shoes in the morning is a mammoth task.

As you walk home from work one evening the strains of “Winter Wonderland” suddenly intrude on your reverie. In seconds, you are hit by a wave (of tidal proportions!) of unrelenting panic.

E-paper

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