Salthill Prom in the fifties

Thu, Jan 09, 2014

The Prom has been much in the news in the last few days. In Victorian times, our ancestors used to advertise the Promenade as a place unrivalled in the country, where a person could take the healthy invigorating air like nowhere else. In those days, it was just a narrow crooked roadway, very rough and untarred, and it extended from Palmer’s Rock to Blackrock. There were no shelters or flower beds, indeed there was hardly any beach, just rocks and shingle and seaweed. The cleaning up process started when breakwaters and piers were built, so there is a lot more beach now than there was 60 years ago. There were no large boulders to strengthen the Promenade, and flooding from the tide was far more regular than it is today – with the experience of this past couple of weeks excepted.

Galway market in the mid-twentieth century

Thu, Jan 02, 2014

“Let not the visitor miss the joyful chaos of Galway’s week-end purchasing. Saturday is not a day of speed. Petrol must give way to horsepower and donkey-power, and cattle that like to investigate both sides of a road. Proud, glittering models of fame crawl humiliatingly in face of a stream of vehicles of astonishing build and variety, rumbling in from Connemara. Carts piled with sacks of oats, potatoes, flour; others with crates of wondering calves and bewildered fowls. It is the great day – not necessarily a happy one – of small brown donkeys further dwarfed by huge wheels and the garden produce heaped above them. Around you in the streets, or about the food market in the shadow of the ancient church, you can hear the musical Gaelic speech. Tall, handsome women of Spanish type dark-haired and dignified: island women whose features speak hardiness and force of character: and women of the rock-strewn dazzling region about Carraroe unwittingly bring upon themselves the staring that notabilities endure. The men also receive attention. Of fine physique their faces healthily browned by sea and mountain winds, they attract you so that you wander, fascinated, from group to group. Old men in home spun, with the wide-brimmed Connemara hats, and the younger in tailored suits and coloured felts of fashion are alike in keenness of selling and shrewdness of buying.”

The stranger waiting at Maam Cross station

Thu, Jan 02, 2014

There was a humorous mix-up when Pádraig Pearse first visited Ros Muc in 1903. He was 24 years of age, and already imbued by a passion, and a vision for the Ireland of the new century.

The Galway volunteer memorial committee

Fri, Dec 27, 2013

This committee, also known as Coiste Cuimhneacháin Óglach Condae na Gaillimhe, was set up in the late 1940s, and represented all shades of political opinion. Its objective was to erect a memorial gateway to the memory of all the men and women of Galway city and county who suffered for freedom during the years 1916 to 1923. The chairman of the committee was Louis O’Dea and the joint honorary secretaries were Mrs T Dillon and Mr John Hosty.

Ten must-dos for a stress-free Christmas

Thu, Dec 19, 2013

1. Manage your time well. There are five days left until the big day so if you still have a lot to do it is important that you have a plan. Otherwise the hours will just slip away and you will end up frazzled before you even get to carve the turkey. Begin by monitoring your time, this will help you pinpoint where you are wasting precious minutes. Then, make a list and decide when you are going to get these jobs done. Your list could include everything from buying last minute presents or icing the Christmas cake (or even making it if you were short of time) to ensuring the chimney is clean for Santa and the grocery shop is in hand.

Twenty per cent off gift vouchers at Therapie Clinic

Thu, Dec 19, 2013

Are you planning to do some last minute shopping this week? Fear not, head to Therapie Clinic at the top of Shop Street and avail of its 20 per cent off gift vouchers offer.

You will also find beautifully packaged gift sets for him and for her from the best skin care brands in the world, the doctor developed Murad range, Image Skincare, and of course the legendary Eve Lom.

Government publishes Bill to prevent minors using commercial sunbeds

Thu, Dec 19, 2013

The Government has this week published legislation that will prohibit operators of sunbed premises from allowing anyone under 18 to use sunbeds.

Largest ever study of sport and exercise in Ireland published

Thu, Dec 19, 2013

The largest study of participation in sport and exercise conducted in Ireland, published this week, has highlighted a number of factors which impact on participation in sport at various life stages.

Herbs for overindulging this Christmas

Thu, Dec 19, 2013

Your health is precious leading up to Christmas. Overindulgence, extra activities, travel, and cold weather gives your immune and digestive system extra work.

Irish Van of the Year category winners announced

Thu, Dec 19, 2013

The Toyota Auris van and Ssangyong Korando commercial have been named category winners of the Continental Irish Van of the Year 2014 title by the Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA) van jury.

Ford EcoSport looks to have style with substance

Thu, Dec 19, 2013

Ford tells us that its all-new EcoSport SUV offers drivers the perfect combination of small car agility, affordability, and fuel efficiency, with the flexibility and spaciousness customers expect from an SUV, all in one stylish and connected package, with an entry level price of €23,995. Wow, I cannot wait to see and drive it, but can it be that good? writes Padraic Deane.

Well it certainly is a fact that the all-new EcoSport is the first SUV in the world to offer a 1.0-litre engine and is among the first Ford vehicles in Europe to be offered with Ford SYNC with AppLink. The latter enables drivers to voice-control smartphone apps while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.

The boy who learned ‘slabs of poetry’

Thu, Dec 19, 2013

Seamus Heaney was not quite sure whether, as an adult, he ‘invented backwards’ some of his earliest fascination with words, but he didn’t think so. Because he could still picture the small boy absorbed by the old wireless in his farmhouse home, between Castledawson and Toomebridge, in Northern Ireland.* He would touch and pronounce some of the names on its dial, such as Hilversum, Stuttgart and Leipzig.

The perfect cover up

Thu, Dec 12, 2013

With the festive season around the corner party time beckons. By now you have probably found the perfect dress. But if it is short sleeved you may be seeking a little extra cover if you are self conscious about your upper arms or simply want to ward off winter chills.

Beauty on a budget

Thu, Dec 12, 2013

Would you like to try out the latest beauty products but are prohibited by the cost? If so, Ireland’s newest monthly beauty subscription service - which allows you to sample items without buying the full size products - may appeal.

Give your skin a boost

Thu, Dec 12, 2013

Lack of sleep, cigarettes, too much sun, pollution, stress, an unbalanced diet... These not only affect our health but also our skin. When skin

Lipsmacking treats

Thu, Dec 12, 2013

Burt’s Bees has introduced a new addition to its popular lip balm range, the number one selling natural lip balm in the US and the UK - two Burt’s Bees balms are sold every second globally.

Brighten up your tresses

Thu, Dec 12, 2013

Hairchalk from L’Oréal offers an affordable, quick and temporary hair colour which lasts for a minimum of two shampoos.

Care for your locks

Thu, Dec 12, 2013

Are your locks less than lustrous? Are they dull and brittle? Then maybe too much heat styling is the culprit.

Pampering treats

Thu, Dec 12, 2013

Still searching for the ideal beauty gift or stocking filler as the season of the holly and the berries is just days away? Well, look no further than Ziaja’s Christmas gift collection.

The company is celebrating the festive season with an assortment of gift sets. Choose from a line of Natural Olive, Goat’s Milk. Jasmine, Cocoa Butter, Coconut and pampering Marine Spa products.

Christmas Day in the Pro-Cathedral, 1842

Thu, Dec 12, 2013

This photograph of Lower Abbeygate Street was taken from the top of a warehouse on the corner of Whitehall c1870. In the foreground you can see the remains of the Browne Mansion, and the original site of the Browne Doorway. Further up the street is the Pro-Cathedral, which was the site of an appalling disaster on Christmas Day, 1842. The following, which appeared in The Dublin Pilot, is a graphic account of what happened.

E-paper

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