Reeling back the years....

Thu, Dec 06, 2012

I get both embarrassed and amused, in an hysterical sort of a way, reading back over the recent social history of poor Cathleen Ní Houlihan. Particularly when it touches on anything sexual. It is surprising that any of us were born at all, such was the misery caused at the mention that anyone might be enjoying a healthy sexual relationship with a partner. The impression was given that everyone who had sexual contact outside marriage was not only in a state of serious sin, but that they were some kind of social pariah, to be scorned and driven away from normal society. Even sex within marriage could be shaky. It really was a subject that could not be discussed in public at all without inviting legions of self-righteous men and women out on the streets proclaiming well-meaning but ill-informed opinion.

Tackling the accessory issues ahead of the Christmas nights out

Thu, Dec 06, 2012

To amend the words from the famous musical Annie, ‘you’re never fully dressed without accessories’. Every ensemble poses the accessories debate. From tights to shoes to scarves, indecision over these articles can leave your head in a frenzy of confusion so as the party season looms quicker with the passing days it is essential to be prepared when it comes to decorating your going out attire. Below is a consise guide on how to vamp up your outfits.

The tights

On the Wine Shelf...

Thu, Dec 06, 2012

Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Independents €14.99)

On the Cookery Book Shelf …

Thu, Dec 06, 2012

Over the last number of years, Paula Wolfert has made a name for herself as an author with a penchant for Mediterranean cuisine and this publication will only enhance that growing reputation.

Clearly written with a modicum of fuss, The Food of Morocco (Bloomsbury, €35) is a lavish overview of a cuisine that’s becoming increasingly popular with lots of insightful tips and personal anecdotes. From the start Wolfert sets out her take on Morocco with the help of a map illustrating the essentials of Moroccan cooking before going on to lay out her views on tagines, preserved lemons, olives, argan oil and amlou, spices, herbs and aromatics, honey and fragrant waters and ten tips for preparing Moroccan food, among other basics. The other chapters are divided into those on salads, breads and pastries; eggs, butter, buttermilk and cheese; soups; couscous; fish; poultry; meats; bean and vegetable dishes; desserts; and drinks. The best of the recipes include those for fresh tomato and caper salad; orange and grated radish salad with orange-flower water; aubergine zaalouk; Marrakech flat bread stuffed with meat; bastila with seafood, spinach and noodles; Tangier street bread; goats’ cheese with honey filling; couscous with lamb, pumpkins; carrots chickpeas and raisins; tagra of fresh sardines with pepper oil charmoula; sautéed prawns casa pepe; chicken with caramelised quinces and toasted walnuts; lamb tagine with baby spinach with lemon and olives; tangia; potato pancakes; dessert couscous with pomegranates; and ‘the snake’ (M’Hanncha). Overall, this is a beautifully photographed big blockbuster of a cookery book with lots of ideas for entertaining anyone interested in North African cuisine in the run-up to Christmas, or as an antidote to turkey and ham in the weeks after the festivities.

Christmassy lunch

Thu, Dec 06, 2012

If you are looking for somewhere to have a Christmassy lunch with family or colleagues, there is a little place in Galway that I can recommend to you, Blazers Bar & Bistro. It is set apart from the hustle and bustle of the city, part of The Ardilaun hotel and yet but a stroll from either Salthill or the city centre. This tranquil setting, with beautifully landscaped gardens is a little a gem.

The Ardilaun is, understandably, renowned for great service which is probably a side effect of being a popular wedding choice. It is uniquely placed as a quiet, leafy, 'old fashioned' country hotel, but still no journey at all from the city. I lived on Taylors Hill for many years, before I moved to my present country pile, and had been in the Ardilaun for many functions but still had only a two minute walk back home. So, while I cannot tell you what the rooms are like, or the breakfast, or the leisure centre, I can tell you about lunch in the bistro.

Kirwan’s Lane

Thu, Nov 29, 2012

This medieval street dates back as far as the 16th century and is believed to be one of only five medieval lanes that still exist in the city out of an original 14. It is considered by historians and archaeologists to be one of the richest areas “in terms of its medieval layout, building design and street plan”. It evidently received its name from the Kirwan family, one of only two of ‘the tribes’ who were of Gaelic origin. They were successful merchants and landowners who moved into the city around 1490, and whose wealth helped Galway reach the peak of its splendour during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Tricksters, undemonstrative fathers, and other stories...

Thu, Nov 29, 2012

I wonder would the following story still happen in Galway today. It happened in more innocent times, in the early 1960s. A very upper class gentleman, Major Woodfall Murphy, rented Bermingham House, the great 18th century pile once owned by the barons of Athenry, on the outskirts of Tuam. The genuinely snobby Lady Molly Cusack Smith, who owned the pile, was only too glad with the promised extra lolly. To the outsider it all felt hunky-dory: One snob helping another.

St Bride’s nursing home

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

St Bride’s was situated on Sea Road and was opened in 1916 by Dr William AF Sandys. He was soon joined by Dr Michael O’Malley and by Dr Joseph Watters, who was the anaesthetist. Both doctors Sandys and O’Malley lived in the Crescent, so it was very convenient for them. It was a private nursing and maternity home accepting medical, surgical, and maternity cases. Generations of Galwegians were born here, and many more would have had their tonsils out or their appendix removed here.

‘Outstanding courage, skill and determination’ defined romantic Oranmore Commander

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

The first winter of the war was unusually cold. Commander Bill King’s submarine Snapper served in the North Sea from April 1939 for 12 months. During that time it had numerous contact with enemy ships, mainly in the Skagerrat Strait, between the southeast coast of Norway and the southwest coast of Sweden.

On the Wine Shelf...

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

Hugel Gewurztraminer 2010 (Independents, €15.99)

Style Isle

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

November is upon us and doing a wardrobe clear out is not just limited to spring. This week I took part in a great initiative called Fashion Fall Out, held in Dublin where the country’s most recognised faces in fashion and independent boutiques brought some pre-owned (and some new) pieces for a very exciting public sale. From vintage to designer bargains, there was something for everyone on offer. The rail sale idea is gaining momentum across the country and in the times we are in, the benefits are limitless. The seller makes some money and the buyer can find the most wonderful fashion treasures.

Cut your heating bills with thermal curtains

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

As the temperature begins to drop and heating bills begin to rise, it is good to know that Better Bedding offers thermal lined curtains, one of the most economical and easy to apply methods of home insulation.

A 2008 study at the Glasgow Caledonian University found that thermal lined curtains can reduce heat loss through single panel windows by 66 per cent and double glazed windows by 14 per cent, and with window heat loss accounting for 10 to 25 per cent of your winter heating bill through heat loss, this definitely translates into significant savings on your energy bill.

Taibhdhearc Na Gaillimhe

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

The history of theatre in Ireland goes back to the start of the 17th century. The beginning of the 20th century saw the emergence of plays written in Irish and that movement was given a significant boost with the opening of An Taibhdhearc on August 27, 1928. It is the oldest operational theatre in Galway and is Ireland’s National Irish Language Theatre. The title is made up of two Irish words, taibh meaning ‘spectacle or ghost’ and dearc meaning ‘behold’.

on The Book Shelf...

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

Eat Like an Italian
Recipes for the Good Life

Celebrate Irish seafood and Spanish cava this month

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

Cava Spanish Restaurant on Dominick Street is among 10 restaurants around the country taking part in a nationwide initiative by the Spanish Embassy to promote November as the month for enjoying Irish seafood and Spanish cava.

A 'happy meal' in gorgeous Gort

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

Have you ever really thought about what goes into the plate of food that is brought to your table in a restaurant? If you think about it, a large proportion of it comes down to the chef. It all starts at the back door of the restaurant, where products are unloaded every morning. Depending on the time of the year, chefs experiment, create, and make menus that are fresh, exciting, and appealing to customers all year round. Strawberries and fresh salad greens have come and gone, game and autumnal fruits are featuring now. If you do not have a good chef, then you do not have a good restaurant.

Go wild at Born Clothing

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

Despite the dark nights and the cold, crisp, weather, winter fashion needs not be dull and dreary. Although blacks, greys, and burgundys are your staple colours for the season you can always inject that much needed bit of life and colour into your wardrobe with a simple printed blouse or a vibrant printed scarf.

Paul Costelloe in store event at Fallers

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

Paul Costelloe will be in store at Fallers at 11.30am on Thursday November 15, signing his much anticipated new Eaton Collection. Customers will be treated to refreshments and the chance to browse and purchase the latest Paul Costelloe collection in Fallers’ Williamsgate Street store, with one lucky shopper winning a fabulous Paul Costelloe piece.

Colour has featured heavily in this collection, with Kate Middleton inspired sapphire bows, amethyst stones, and Hollywood screen legend Audrey Hepburn inspiring a stunning pearl bow set. From rose gold two-tone circle pieces to exquisite white crystal bow drop earrings, Costelloe’s attention to detail and quality, and his eye for fresh, simple and wearable designs, resonate in every piece.

Winter colour trends bring home decor back to basics

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

Dulux has unveiled its ‘home factory’ look for winter 2012, which uses bold contrasting colours to create an industrious domestic ambience. According to Dulux designers, the look is about reflecting the function of your home in its decor.

“The style of the interior should be a reflection of how you occupy the space,” said Louise Smith, Dulux colour designer. “Bold, dark, statement wall colours such as Dulux Indigo Night, or Dulux Moon Waves 1 fill the space, contrasting with elements against the surface that pop and snap against it. Awe inspiring soft teals go brilliantly with richer petrol like blues and all types of natural greens whether yellow or blue toned.”

Lose weight for Christmas with System 10

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

There are three keys to a genuine weight loss (real fat loss) plan — diet, exercise, and metabolism correction. All three keys interconnect — one will not work without the other.

E-paper

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