Enjoy Italian food, wine, art and culture with Basilico

Thu, May 09, 2013

Renowned for providing customers with not only the taste-bud tempting aromas of its delicious dishes but also a relaxing atmosphere surrounded by fine art, Basilico Restaurant will be embarking on a new phase in its business by offering lovers of food, art, and culture, weekend breaks in Oranmore or longer painting holidays to Italy.

All in one

Thu, May 02, 2013

When I was a child, I wore a pinafore to school. I never thought almost 25 years later, I would be back wearing a pinafore, and versions of it, as a fashion trend. I have no idea who is to blame for the return of the “all-in-one” look, but whoever did, must have known it was going to be the must have item for our summer wardrobes. Comfort and style all in one, plus a huge saving on your suitcase space, the jumpsuit, playsuit, pinafore, and dungaree trend have been reinvented for the current season. The jumpsuit has been here for a couple of seasons now, but this year we see shapes and styles change, to make this look more wearable.

Mid-heels are the new sexy

Thu, May 02, 2013

There is a new look in town, it is called the mid heel and I am a big fan. A refreshing alternative to sky-high heels, the mid heel gives us a natural allure and enough comfort to walk in all day. From chunky heels with open toe to classic coloured courts, comfortable slingbacks to wedges with ankle straps, these heels come in an array of styles and colours allowing you to update your wardrobe without compromising your comfort. Combine them with any of your work clothing, or weekend wear. Here is how to wear them this spring.

Bay roasted baby hasselbacks

Thu, May 02, 2013

Last year was my first time growing my own potatoes. I ordered a few heritage varieties from Seed Savers, varieties that would be difficult to find in the shops, some early and some main crop. I planted them late enough in the season so as to avoid any lingering frosts as we are prone to here in the west. They grew readily with the plentiful rain and flowered in white, yellow, and some in a glorious purple. When the leaves faded and died back it was time to harvest. It was lovely to see the children’s delight at sifting through the soil and discovering hidden potatoes, like a messy Easter egg hunt… potatoes with skins so thin that you could brush them off with your thumb. The taste of those freshly dug little earlies, with butter, ground pepper, and fat flakes of sea salt was amazing.

On the Wine Shelf...

Thu, May 02, 2013

Bodegas Salentein, Numina 2010 Uco Valley (Independents, €22.99)

Made with a blend of Malbec (65 per cent), Cabernet Sauvignon (14 per cent), Merlot (eight per cent), Petit Verdot (eight per cent), Cabernet Franc (five per cent) in Argentina’s Uco Valley, this is a fine example of what Argentina is capable of, and one of numerous wines from that part of the world that are increasingly making up some of the space on our wine shelves. On the nose, it is a cornucopia of intense blackcurrant, blackberries, blueberries with a little cassis, vanilla and sweet spice. On the palate, it has got all of the above fruit with some stone cherry fruit, violets, and damson in what is a full-bodied, well-structured, wine with gentle tannins, all combining to offer a very satisfying and long, elegant, finish. In essence, a super wine that is perfect with barbecued steak or farmhouse cheese.

The Book Shelf...

Thu, May 02, 2013

Lorenz Books is without doubt one of the best publishers of glossy, picture-led, cookery books that generally have more than one photograph per recipe. Already this year it has published titles such as 500 Sensational Salads and 30-Minute Cookbook, offering much of what this particular publication is very good at providing. Thus, we have more than 500 pages of colourful, succinct, recipes that are enticing and easy to follow, beginning with an introduction that sets out the editor’s manifesto and the notion of clever cooking: The idea of buying and using ingredients that will enable the reader to create a fabulous meal for less than what it would cost to buy an ordinary sandwich in the shops.

Enjoy up to sixty per cent off at your local HSS Hire

Thu, May 02, 2013

HSS Hire, the national tool and equipment hire company, is answering the needs of its domestic and specialist customers by helping to make all jobs quick, easy, and available at a price affordable to all.

At HSS Hire there really is no hire too big or too small. The knowledgeable staff guarantee to have all of your decorating, cleaning, DIY, and renovation needs covered, as well as any larger scale projects.

Farrow & Ball paint and paper now available at La Maison Chic

Thu, May 02, 2013

La Maison Chic now supplies Farrow & Ball paints and wallpapers. When it comes to choosing colour, there are no strict rules but there are many factors to take into consideration. Architecture, the purpose, shape, and direction of a room and above all light, should be taken into account as they will contribute to the changing appearance of colours.

Anti-cancer health and wellness retreat in Galway

Thu, May 02, 2013

Sota Health and Wellness is a luxurious five star sanctuary of wellness, vitality, and rejuvenation set in a scenic and tranquil setting overlooking Kilcolgan Castle.

Swim for health, fitness, and relaxation

Thu, May 02, 2013

Swimming is an aerobic exercise and is a great way of getting your heart and lungs fit.

Experience the benefits of healing massage therapies

Thu, May 02, 2013

Experience the many wonderful healing benefits of massage therapy — an ancient art of natural medicine practised for thousands of years — with Helen Momo at Indigo Holistic Healing Centre.

Inject some colour in your wardrobe

Thu, May 02, 2013

Everyone is born with a certain inclination towards colour. By the time we grow up we may have lost some of that personal colour sense.

The Knights of Malta in Galway

Thu, May 02, 2013

The first unit of the Order of Malta in Galway began in 1937 when Dr Conor O’Malley was asked by the Marquis McSweeney, the then chancellor of the Irish Association, to recruit members to form an ambulance corps aimed initially at Connacht only.

Why not celebrate December 6 as our Independence Day?

Thu, May 02, 2013

I made two mistakes last week. I got my months mixed up. Instead of a period of less than two years from the battle at his home Muintir Eoin in the Maam Valley to when he was appointed Leas Ceann Comhairle (deputy speaker) of the new Irish Dáil, I said it was less than ‘eight months’. Secondly the photograph. An utter mystery! It just appeared from cyber space by magic. No idea where it came from.

Nevertheless, despite these things, there has been a steady flow of e-mails and texts during the past few weeks. Maybe it is the approach of 2016 that has prompted people to take a greater interest in our history, I do not know. But there is a very considerable appetite for events that led up to the birth of our nation.

Letter from Australia

Thu, May 02, 2013

I was interested in the following letter from Leonard McDonnell, about his father and grandfather. His grandfather, Petie Joe McDonnell, born in Leenane, worked as a coach builder with Kilroys of Newport, before joining the Irish Volunteers in 1914. He had good military instincts, and was well regarded by the Dublin IRA. In March 1921 he was appointed OC Western Connemara Brigade. Pádraic Ó Máille served under him. While on the run he married Matilda (Tilly) Kilroy. They had eight children. He took the anti Treaty side during the Civil War. During World War II he served as a captain in the Irish Army. Afterwards he worked in the insurance business in Galway, and died in the city in 1967.

Wedding party of Pádraic Ó Máille and Eileen Acton September 1921

Thu, May 02, 2013

Many of the people included here have featured in the stories of the past few weeks. Pádraic and Eileen were married just five months after the battle at his home at Kilmilkin, Maam. It was still a dangerous time. Most of the men were ‘on the run’. At least two were on the ‘most wanted’ list. Watch out for Mrs Whelan of Clifden, that brave mother of Tommy Whelan hanged for a murder he did not commit, on March 14, the same year as this picture; what is Dr Michael Browne, later Bishop of Galway, doing there? and many more including Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith, and Petie Joe McDonnell.

Add some sparkle

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Summer is a great time to accessorise, I think. You can have so much fun with colour, especially with the very trendy neon this season, and adding a little bling is never a bad thing. And you have to remember that whether you like to wear scarves, bangles, or bags, they never really go out of fashion, so think of them as a very good investment. My current favourites include gold bangles (lots of them), big, chunky, necklaces, and gold earrings, worn with my go-to look of a T-shirt and black blazer. With plenty of collections and designers to choose from, here are just a few of my summer picks.

Modern femininity

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Spring is finally here, which means two things — sun and special occasions. Femininity is clearly being celebrated in spring collections, with sweet shades and demure silhouettes with a touch of sensuality and strength. The feminine look is being worn for all those upcoming special occasions — from weddings to confirmations, or anniversaries and days at the races. A modern feminine look with a charming twist is your winning ticket to spring style.

Top stylists at David Martin

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Since opening in 2008, David Martin hair salon at Kingston Road has proved to be a huge success. This is the second salon in Galway by the David Martin group; the first is situated at New Dock Street.

Wild garlic weekend at Rua and Café Rua

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Wild garlic is a forager's delight and one of the best natural ingredients around at this time of year. Unlike the usual variety of garlic, the wild stuff is prized for its leaves rather than the bulb. The flowers are also edible, but are more often used raw in salads.

Rua's annual Wild Garlic Weekend, from April 25 to 27, is an excuse to shout about one of Rua’s favourite ingredients of the year and fill the café menus and deli shelves with produce using this wonderful stuff. As well as wild garlic sausages made to Rua’s recipe by Castlemine Farm, the company will also have delicious wild garlic mayo, pesto, and flavoured butter, as well as wild garlic soda bread available to buy and sample in the delicatessen. Wild garlic and potato soup; fritatta with St Tola's goat's cheese; and wild garlic and free range pork with apricot and wild garlic stuffing are just a few of the specials planned for the cafés over the weekend — I guess they must really love the stuff.

E-paper

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