Galway hurlers, 1949

Thu, Apr 29, 2010

There is no game on earth to compare with hurling, for speed, skill, artistry, movement, and athleticism. Fitness also plays a big part in the game. The Galway teams who played in the 1923 and 1924 finals spent an incredible almost 13 weeks together in Rockfield House, between Craughwell and Athenry. There, they lived like Trappist monks with a 6am reveille sounded by team manager and county board chairman, Tom Kenny, who arrived each dawn in his pony and trap from Craughwell. Out of bed and into a cold bath was the order of the day, and the first exercise was followed by a drink of cold water laced with ‘health salts’ before a solid hour’s toning up physical exercises supervised by trainer Jack Berry. Breakfast of the plainest food, with brown bread the major ingredient, followed at 10am. After an hour’s rest, the team and substitutes played and practised hurling with the free-takers perfecting their art with countless shots at goal from all distances and angles.

A landscape treasure on our doorstep

Thu, Apr 29, 2010

On several occasions I have purposely let myself get lost along the narrow roads of the Sliabh Aughty (Echtge*) uplands which extend over some 250 square miles over the southeast Galway and west Clare borders. It’s a territory way off the tourist trail. On either side of the road hedgerows are positive gardens of wild flowers in June. In August they collapse drunkenly along its edge.

Lose weight for good with System 10

Thu, Apr 22, 2010

Do you struggle for weeks to lose a few pounds, only to have the weight pile back on again once your diet ends? System 10, a new approach to weight loss, offers permanent results by speeding up the rate at which your body burns fat.

Healthy options at The Health Store

Thu, Apr 22, 2010

Galway's newest health food venture, The Health Store, is situated in the Briarhill Shopping Centre.

Believe it and achieve it this spring

Thu, Apr 22, 2010

With so much emphasis on the importance of regular physical activity these days, we are more aware of the benefits of exercise than we have ever been. The Kingfisher Club can assist you in making exercise not only purse friendly, with membership starting from as little as €9 per week, it has also introduced a special welcome pack worth some €200 that will help kickstart your fitness regime. The fitness starter pack is available to the first 50 new members that sign up during April to avail of free classes and personal training, so no more excuses!

Rollercoaster

Thu, Apr 22, 2010

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Must have handbags for spring

Thu, Apr 22, 2010

This spring there are certainly plenty of handbags to pick from whether they are sleek, sexy, cute, or casual. Check out these must haves for this spring.

Salsa Slims shape up for summer

Thu, Apr 22, 2010

Stepping Out has just announced the course dates for its shape up for summer programme, which is available at a recession busting price of €100.

“I‘m delighted to be able to launch the course at such a good saving for people,” Stepping Out founder Sharon Tinkler said at the launch of the programme. “Everyone has money on their minds at the moment so we are trying to make the course as affordable for as many people as possible.

Choosing the right window treatments

Thu, Apr 22, 2010

Part one: blinds

Free landscape design at Coole Gardening Complex

Thu, Apr 22, 2010

If you are thinking about how to make the best of your outdoor space around the house this spring, then think about a trip to Tobermore Paving and Walling and Coole Gardening Complex, Gort.

Save on heating costs with Solar Home Ireland

Thu, Apr 22, 2010

With home heating oil having increased 30 per cent in the last six months and a further eight per cent expected over the comings weeks with the new carbon tax, there has never been a better time to consider installing solar panels on your home. A system, if properly specified, will generate 65 per cent of your home’s domestic hot water requirements free from the sun.

Modern Homes and Building exhibition celebrates twenty one years

Thu, Apr 22, 2010

The 21st Galway Modern Homes & Building Exhibition was a great success last weekend. A large crowd attended the event over the three days at Leisureland, Salthill, which was an ideal venue to host the 21st anniversary celebration for Modern Homes & Building Exhibitions.

Congratulations to McGrath’s butchers, Mervue

Thu, Apr 22, 2010

Late last year McGrath butchers in Plunkett Avenue, Mervue was destroyed by fire and as it was near Christmas they knuckled down to get it refurbished and ready for the big Christmas trade, a good plan you might say. However all the good work was destroyed when another fire broke out and gutted the shop once more.

Bella Roma — a welcome addition to Galway’s dining options

Thu, Apr 22, 2010

Co-owned by Rome native Sandro Perna and the familiar Richy Gorman, Bella Roma presents Italian cuisine in grand style with a great atmosphere and warm presence.

The menu boasts a wide selection of regional Italian cuisine with rustic accents under the direction of chef Giulio Delfino.

Living with the effects of Thalidomide

Thu, Apr 15, 2010

Every day is a challenge for thalidomide survivor Maggie Woods. From when she wakes up until she lays her head down at night she must deal with situations that most of us take for granted.

“A day doesn’t go by without I being aware of my disability,” says the mother of two grown up sons who was born with short arms and is 3’ 8” in height. “Every day is a challenge from opening doors to going to the bathroom. I have to do nearly everything differently. My body is the size of a child’s. I have learned to open doors, turn keys and lift a saucepan of spuds with my teeth. I pull floor to ceiling curtains in the same way.

Living with the effects of Thalidomide

Thu, Apr 15, 2010

Every day is a challenge for thalidomide survivor Maggie Woods. From when she wakes up until she lays her head down at night she must deal with situations that most of us take for granted.

Fighting for justice

Thu, Apr 15, 2010

Maggie Woods, who is the chairperson of the Irish Thalidomide Association, says the “thalidomide catastrophe” was not inevitable.

“Early warning signs of the tragic effect of this wholly untested drug were ignored. And, even after it was known that it caused birth defects the Irish Government delayed for several months in withdrawing it.”

Hot shoes to wear this season

Thu, Apr 15, 2010

If you are looking forward to updating your shoe collection this spring, here are some styles to look out for.

Ytsara expert day at the Spa, Courtyard by Marriott

Thu, Apr 15, 2010

Does your skin need a boost? Do you need to unwind from day to day tensions? Why not take a break and book in for a body recharge or a facial refresh with Ytsara, the organic and natural Thai spa line.

Promoting food allergy awareness at Evergreen

Thu, Apr 15, 2010

The number of diagnosed food allergies in this country is continuing to grow. Whether you are being told to stay off gluten, wheat, dairy, or eggs, the world of restrictive diets can be a confusing one.

E-paper

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