Shantalla in 1953

Fri, Oct 02, 2015

Walter Macken’s first published English language play Mungo’s Mansion was about people in the tenements of Buttermilk Lane about to be rehoused away out in the country, in the wilds of Shantalla. This was causing great distress to the ‘townies’ who would have to move less than a mile as the crow flies.

‘A ghostly presence through trees and over bog’

Fri, Oct 02, 2015

One of Ireland’s great engineering feats in the 19th century was the building of the Galway - Clifden railway. After 30 years of argument as to which was the best route, the first train steamed out of Galway to Oughterard on January 1 1895; and the final section to Clifden was finished by July of that year.

Declutter your home and make some money

Thu, Sep 24, 2015

Attics, garages, sheds, and spare rooms can end up filled with all sorts of items that have never been used because they did not fit in with the decor or were unwanted gifts. The children and teenagers are back to school and it is the perfect time to give the house a good clear-out and make some spare cash as well.

One war that Fr Conway lost

Thu, Sep 24, 2015

Before Fr Peter Conway was appointed parish priest of Headford, he was a curate in Ballinrobe. His very considerable energies were thrown into building a new church and presbytery. He also succeeded in acquiring a site for the Convent of Mercy and Christian Brothers’ schools in a primary location in the centre of the town. And all may have been well, and the good father praised for his building and organisational skills, and allowed to live in peace, were it not for the Mayo general election of April 6 1857.

Conway became obsessed, going way beyond the bounds of respectability in his use of descriptive language, his threats of hell and damnation, even using intimidating terror gangs and physical force to support the Catholic George Henry Moore who was being seriously challenged by two powerful and wealthy Protestant landlords Rodger W Palmer and George Gore Ouseley Higgins.The outgoing member for parliament was the hard working, but vehemently anti Protestant, George Henry Moore, of Moore Hall, Ballyglass, Co Mayo. He spent a good deal of his first decade as MP for Mayo calling for the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland.

Aer Árainn, the early years

Thu, Sep 24, 2015

There was a ferry service to the Aran Islands in the 1960s, but the ship could only dock at Inis Mór. In 1969 Colie Hernon wrote a letter to The Irish Times complaining of the inadequate transport facilities to the islands, which prompted Hayden Lawford to conduct an aerial survey of Inis Mór. Meanwhile Ralph Langan, whose business was fruit wholesaling in Galway, and who had problems shipping fresh fruit to the islands, had also seen Colie’s letter.

Terryland Park

Thu, Sep 17, 2015

In ancient times, Galway was known as Streamstown because the lower Galway River divided into many streams, thus creating a system of islands. The area was known as ‘Tír Oileáin’, the land of islands. Two place names survive from that period, Tirellan and Terryland.

‘God grant peace to America’

Thu, Sep 17, 2015

Despite Fr Peter Conway’s row with the Protestant rector of Headford, the Rev Dean Plunkett (and there were some appalling battles against Protestants to come), he got on surprisingly well with the landlord of the whole area, the impressively named Richard Mensergh St George, Esq, also the High Sheriff. Initially, when Conway asked him if he would donate land for a church for his Catholic tenants, the request was turned down flat. But out of the blue, St George invited Conway to his house one day and offered him an acre of ground ‘anywhere on his estate’, rent free forever;  furthermore, he gave an additional seven acres of land for a priest’s house, and a subscription of £20 for a school.

The Crescent from Murray’s shop

Thu, Sep 10, 2015

This photograph of The Crescent, which was originally known as Palmyra Crescent, was taken c1940. Palmyra in Syria is very much in the news these days, but I cannot think of any reason why someone would name a road in Galway after it.

The young priest who cried for two days in Carna

Thu, Sep 10, 2015

I hope the recent scandals in the Catholic Church will not discourage the noble tradition of the cleric as the social champion of the people. It is time that we had their like to nail their colours to the mast once again. Growing up in the last century, I was familiar with such names as Fr James McDyer and his tireless campaign against the official neglect of Gleann Cholm Cile; and Canon George Quinn and his fight for better social housing. There were several others, who have spilled over into recent years, including Fr Peter McVerry and his fight for homeless people in Dublin, and Fr Harry Bohan and his belief in the staying power of families in rural Ireland. But the champion of them all, the priest with the soft voice and a twinkle in both eyes, was the indefatigable Monsignor James Horan. Not only did he re-design the village of Knock to make it more people friendly, he built schools, clinics, and a convent, and a vast basilica. He organised community water schemes, and forestry plantations, and built an impressive international airport in the bogs of Mayo. 

Esquires Coffee comes to Galway 

Thu, Sep 10, 2015

Colm and Caryl McDonagh, well known businesspeople in Galway, are bringing the Esquire Coffee franchise concept to Galway city. They have recently opened in a prestige building on Eyre Square, just a few doors down from the well known O’Connell's bar. 

House Hotel’s head cocktail bartender crowned Galway’s best

Thu, Sep 10, 2015

The House Hotel’s head cocktail bartender, Aileen Cunningham, has beaten off stiff competition to win a trip to Havana, Cuba, next year after being selected as Galway’s best.

Warm and welcoming lunch at the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie

Thu, Sep 10, 2015

Autumn is drawing in; hats and scarves will soon start to reappear and we are all beginning to yearn for some warmth and relaxation. Soak up the welcoming atmosphere in the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie, whether you are on a fast lunch break, are meeting a group of friends for a lunchtime get-together, grabbing a quick bite between meetings, or enjoying a coffee after mid-morning shopping.

Located in the heart of the city, the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie is the ideal venue for lunch, promising fast and friendly service, ensuring you are back at your desk in plenty of time with a smile on your face. The extensive lunch menu offers a range of light bites, gourmet signature sandwiches, hearty soups, fresh delicious salads, Gaslight seafood chowder, and mouthwatering mains.

Colourful Dulux events for Galway

Thu, Sep 10, 2015

Leading nationwide paint retailer Pat McDonnell Paints will hold free customer events at its Galway store in the Briarhill Business Park on Saturday September 19. This will be of particular interest to people planning to decorate their homes and looking for advice on paint choices.

Log cabins for every purpose at Log Cabins Eire

Thu, Sep 10, 2015

Established in 1984, Log Cabins Eire has built a reputation for quality and design with customer satisfaction its main goal, wherever you are located just ask for great rates and quality assured. The company is as flexible as its customers are individual and can customise any of its designs to suit your particular requirements. 

Log Cabins Eire manufactures timber garages, summerhouses, garden sheds, playhouses, carports, and canopies.

The agony and the ecstasy of Galway hurling

Thu, Sep 03, 2015

An elderly lady once told me that “Apart from the Irish language, we have nothing more Irish in this country than the game of hurling.” I agree. It is the greatest game of them all. It is probably the number one game in the county, attendances at senior county finals being a very good criterion — the hurling final has always been the bigger attraction than the football counterpart, “even in the balmy days of our football three-in-a-row,” according to the late Jack Mahon.

Kevin Curran’s introduction to the oil business

Thu, Sep 03, 2015

Perhaps only Ladies Day at the races causes a similar frenzy to all the upset and commotion that heralds ‘Back to School’ at the end of August or beginning of September. It is the biggest event in the social year. After the long summer holiday children are in a daze as their parents lead them, often dressed in new clothes top to toe, forward into the yard. If it is their first day at school, mum or dad will linger for a while in the classroom, intimidated by the confidence of the young múinteoir, the small tables and chairs, the 57 varieties of slippers, and the smell of pencils and paint. They leave consumed by their own memories.

Mighty Mac’s

Thu, Sep 03, 2015

This has been the week that saw McDonald’s announce the launch of an ‘artisan’ burger to be called the MacMór, which aims to use Ballymaloe Relish, Charleville Cheddar, Dawn Meats beef, and Dew Valley bacon. The idea of McDonald’s selling anything ‘artisan’ came as a surprise to many in the food world, and it seems now that the company will have to change the description to something a little less aspirational.

56 Central, where old Galway meets new

Thu, Sep 03, 2015

56 Central is located in the heart of Galway on Shop Street. 56 Central opened its doors in May and has quickly established itself as a great brunch, lunch, and coffee and cake venue. This eatery, along with its sister company 37 West cafe in Newcastle, brings a very personal experience to eating, with a lot of personality being central to the ethos of what the company does.

Dinner at 56 Central brings a contrasting vibe and feel to day time dining. The combination of the best of fresh ingredients, international wines, and a retro interior that lends to the feeling you are no longer in Galway, makes dinner at 56 a must.

Enjoy delicious Indian cuisine in Salthill

Thu, Sep 03, 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.  

A fun day out at Mary’s fish cookery demo

Thu, Sep 03, 2015

Mary’s Fish shop would like to say a hearty “thank you" to all the chefs and customers who attended the fish cookery demo on August 18. There was a huge attendance and the display of cooked fish dishes was superb.

E-paper

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