A young girl carried the scars of war

Thu, Aug 06, 2015

In an attempt to bring some normality into their lives following the traumatic years of the War of Independence, and the Civil War, Professor Tom Dillon, and his wife Geraldine (nee Plunkett), moved their five children to Dangan House, about three miles north of Galway town, close to the River Corrib. It is now a flourishing garden nursery, run by the busy Cunningham family and staff, but in the late 1920s it was a rambling two-storeyed manor house with shallow steps leading to a wide front door. Their father bought a cow, and chickens ran wild in the yard. In many ways it was an ideal home to bring up a lively young family, but understandably the terrors and the residue of those early years still bore heavily on the children. Politics was still a dominant player in their lives.

Puppy power

Thu, Aug 06, 2015

Traditionally in Ireland, the working farm dog has always been the border collie and this is still the case today. The black and white pooches with their low, loping, stride are still a familiar sight on the backroads and laneways of the countryside moving their woolly charges from one pasture to the next. Other herding breeds are occasionally used, such as the New Zealand huntaway and the Australian kelpie. A well trained dog with the right temperament is worth its weight in gold to a farmer.

Enjoy delicious Indian cuisine in Salthill

Thu, Aug 06, 2015

Diners in Salthill and surrounding areas have a new venue when it comes to top quality Indian cuisine -- Falguni Indian restaurant and takeaway has recently opened, offering a delicious mix of classic Indian dishes and regional specialities.  

Five-star meat at Heaney Meats Factory Shop

Thu, Aug 06, 2015

The Heaney family’s association with master butchery stretches back more than 300 years. Heaney Meats produces only the highest quality meat which has now become synonymous with the Heaney name.

The business delivers its products to its customer base all over Ireland. Among its customers can be found some of Ireland’s most prestigious hotels and restaurants, which count on Heaney’s to provide them with meats of a five-star grade for their five-star properties.

Summer dining at Bar Solo, The Connacht Hotel

Thu, Aug 06, 2015

Open from 10am daily, Bar Solo can ease you in to your day with tea and scones, or you can gather for an informal business meeting and make use of the hotel's extensive free car parking and unlimited WiFi, with plenty of space for private conversations and discussions to take place.

Refreshments and snacks are served throughout the day. Lunch is served from 12.30pm, diners can enjoy the summer menu which is designed to give patrons a wide choice of food to suit every appetite, whether you want a healthy choice or a treat. A pre order lunch option is available for those who need to watch the clock.

The best of Ladies' Day

Thu, Aug 06, 2015

Alex Butler from Ballyedmond, Midleton, Co Cork, scooped the coveted title of Kilkenny Best Dressed Lady at Ladies' Day last week, this year sponsored by the Kilkenny Group.  

Reflexology for better wellbeing at Catherine Schreiber Reflexology Clinic

Thu, Aug 06, 2015

Catherine Schreiber, a French native, worked in Millau in the south of France for 10 years as a reflexologist, reiki therapist, and massage therapist. In 2004 she trained in reflexology at the International Institute of Reflexology, and graduated in 2005.

Water Babies autumn term

Thu, Aug 06, 2015

Water Babies' autumn term starts the week of August 24 and the company is now taking bookings for classes. Classes take place in Galway in the Clayton Hotel, Salthill, Claregalway, Athenry, and Enable Ireland in Newcastle.

Water Babies is run by Jamie and Lisa Cobbe and currently teaches some 600 babies and toddlers per week in Galway, Sligo, and Mayo. The Water Babies' programme is designed to make the most of babies’ natural affinity with water. It teaches confidence and safety, using specialist techniques that see many swimming short distances from as young as 30 months.  

Don’t get left behind next year

Thu, Aug 06, 2015

Book a summer 2016 holiday with Corrib Travel and you will not only get an incredible trip away, you will also make a huge saving into the bargain. With a vast range of options, you can make sure that your holiday is exactly the way you want it to be.

Get the most out of the all-inclusive packages, or enjoy a more independent trip with Corrib Travel’s self-catering options. Choose from a range of accommodation, from fun-filled, family-friendly resorts to more intimate villas and apartments. Whatever you are looking for in your holiday for summer 2016, Corrib Travel has it covered. Why not make it easy on yourself and join the new savings club, with low deposit and easy payment options 

Authentic Indian dining at Eastern Tandoori

Thu, Jul 30, 2015

Galway has always been known for its diversity — a town of exotic sailors and Connemara tribes, this medieval city has been a melting pot for as long as it has existed. We have well established Chinese and Thai restaurants, and more recently some terrific Japanese ones. For fans of Indian food, however, Eastern Tandoori has being offering consistently delicious examples of this varied cuisine to Galway diners for some time now.

Galway company Airam Foods wins at the Idea Works

Thu, Jul 30, 2015

Galway based company Airam Foods is among the three winners selected by Ireland’s leading food and support services company, Compass Group Ireland, as a winner of this year’s Idea Works. Airam Foods will now work closely with Compass Group Ireland to develop its Connemara Pies range further with a view to trialling these within select Compass Group Ireland units. 

Restaurants Association of Ireland calls for action on chef shortage crisis

Thu, Jul 30, 2015

The Restaurants Association of Ireland says that there is now a crisis in the shortage of chefs in the country, and an investment in training is needed urgently. The organisation is calling on the Minister for Education Jan O'Sullivan to re-establish CERT, the former State Tourism Training Agency, with immediate effect.

The RAI stated this week that the vast majority of jobs in the hospitality sector relate directly to the food services sector, with 24,700 employed as chefs in 2014. The main skills shortages in the industry are among suitably qualified chefs. Shortages of commis chefs feed into shortages at higher and specialist levels. 

Race style inspirations

Thu, Jul 30, 2015

As we gear up for the Galway Races, here are some style ideas to help you get race ready. 

Holiday wardrobe essentials

Thu, Jul 30, 2015

Prepare your holiday wardrobe now and get key looks for every occasion. Think printed summer dresses, nautical inspired swimsuits, cool sandals, and statement shorts. Find your perfect capsule wardrobe here.

Marc Cain new collection at Colette Latchford

Thu, Jul 30, 2015

Marc Cain new collection at Colette Latchford, Lydon Court, Galway, phone 091 563630. Open this Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday from 1pm to 6pm.

Coláiste Éinde, founded 1928

Thu, Jul 23, 2015

Coláiste Éinde was one of the institutions founded by the State shortly after attaining freedom. It initially suffered from ‘growing pains’. It started on October 23 1928 in Furbo House, and later moved to Dublin before eventually finding its home in Threadneedle Road. The building was constructed by Stewarts to house St Louis nuns attending UCG and also for a girls’ organisation.

‘The mountain is just a way of thinking’

Thu, Jul 23, 2015

Next Sunday, the last Sunday in July, is Reek Sunday which celebrates the national pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s Holy Mountain. Several thousands of people are expected to make the arduous climb, which can take over two hours to get to its summit. If it’s a clear day the views across Connemara, and along the coast line, are spectacular. If the climb is made in misty weather, then it becomes an adventure of another kind. Whatever the weather there is a real sense of camaraderie, and shared humanity; a feeling too that to take a few hours out of our busy lives, to concentrate on the effort of the climb, and support our fellow travellers, is ‘to experience a life time in miniature.’

The Rev Gary Hastings, in his new book Going Up The Holy Mountain,* accepts that an increasing number of people have no idea about the concept of pilgrimage. They regard the whole thing as something quaint, superstitious and irrelevent. That perception, he believes, is wrong. To make a pilgrimage, even a long walk, or to climb any mountain, is a useful device to have in our ‘spiritual toolkit’. He invites the reader to climb Croagh Patrick, and provides a generous spiritual guide as to how that climb can become meaningful. Climbing the mountain ‘involves concrete action and movement. It is not shrouded in words and theology; it is something you just do. And while you do it, things can change. You leave yourself open to possibility, to the chance of hearing the silence, seeing the meaning.’

The Boathouse Oranmore: All aboard for the Galway Races

Thu, Jul 23, 2015

The Boathouse in Oranmore is getting geared up for this year's Galway Races.

Lana brings Asian street food to Galway

Thu, Jul 23, 2015

Asian street food sensation Lana brings the tastes, colours, and smells of Asian street food, together with the fresh salty air and sea in Salthill.

Enjoy the tastes of delicious food put together passionately by the team from Thailand, Indonesia, China, and Malaya, reflecting how people dine in their home countries. 

Eyre Street Steakhouse —  putting some sizzle into the summer

Thu, Jul 23, 2015

The summer of 2015 may have been a bit of a washout so far, with a much higher risk of trench foot than sunburn, but it has not been all bad. We are experiencing an unprecedented explosion of new eateries and bars, squeezing themselves into any nook and cranny they can find. There really is no shortage of new restaurants to duck into to escape the drizzle.

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