Bumper funding announced for expansion apprenticeships across higher education sector

Thu, Dec 14, 2023

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris and Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins have this week announced €17 million in capital funding to respond to the growing demand for apprenticeships in the higher education sector.

The funding will be dispersed across four technological universities and one institute of technology in the higher education sector to deliver in the order of an additional 132 apprenticeship craft training blocks.

Find the perfect gift at Fallers

Thu, Dec 14, 2023

Fallers jewellers on Williamsgate Street is celebratings its 144th year in business this Christmas. Explore the largest selection of fine jewellery, luxurious timepieces and those special last minute stocking fillers.

Blackrock Cottage making a splash on the Galway dining scene

Thu, Dec 14, 2023

I'm no stranger to Blackrock Cottage, It has been the delicious carrot dangled at the end of the stick to reward myself and my wife Marie at the end of our weekend walks. The promise of a superb coffee and delicious brunch is the reward for having our faces scalded by the Atlantic breeze as we step-it-out along Salthill promenade. This however is the first time we have been for the evening menu so we were interested to see how it transformed for a dinner venue.

A taste of Christmas this festive season at The Ardilaun

Thu, Dec 14, 2023

Take some time out from the Christmas shopping and preparations for the holidy season and treat yourself and your friends or family to some festive lunch or dinner, available in The Ardilaun Hotel for the month of December. The award winning kitchen team have introduced sumptuous two-course and three-course Christmas menus with tea/coffee and mince pies for €26.50 and €31.50 per person respectively.

Sugar and spice and all things nice — what Ireland’s favourite cocktails are made of

Thu, Dec 14, 2023

Forget a tumbler of brandy for Santa this year, and instead think about leaving the big man a Pornstar Martini, which has today been confirmed as the nation’s favourite cocktail.

Enjoy your garden in winter with QOLA products

Thu, Dec 14, 2023

QOLA is a west of Ireland-based seller and fitter of high-class external structures which allow you to enjoy your garden even in the most miserable of days.

Book now for summer 2024

Thu, Dec 14, 2023

"We have never had as much interest in summer 2024 at this time of year," says Maura Fahy, managing director of Fahy Travel.

Bookings for next season are well up on last year, and Galway’s award winning travel company is encouraging customers to book early, particularly for the Shannon and Knock departures, where prices will continue to increase as the best prices are picked up by those in a position to make their mind up now.

Pelvic health physiotherapy-led Pilates at Pelvic Health West, Oranmore

Thu, Dec 14, 2023

Are you looking for a pelvic floor-friendly exercise plan for 2024? Pelvic Health West is now taking enrolments for a six week Pilates programme from January 2024.

Enhance immunity with hyperbaric oxygenation

Thu, Dec 14, 2023

Hyperbaric oxygenation has become a compelling strategy to fortify immune system health, offering a multifaceted approach within the pressurised environment of a hyperbaric chamber. Central to its benefits is the augmentation of white blood cell functionality, the linchpin of immune defence.

In the pressurised atmosphere of a hyperbaric chamber, the body absorbs elevated levels of oxygen, saturating blood and tissues. This surge in oxygen availability energises white blood cells, enhancing their efficacy in combating infections and diseases. Additionally, the pressurised setting triggers the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with potent antimicrobial properties, further empowering the body's immune response.

Belfast among TikTok’s favourite cities for a winter experience

Thu, Dec 14, 2023

Belfast has been named as one of the best cities for a winter holiday experience, with more than eight million seasonal hashtags on TikTok, a survey has found. London, New York, Manchester, Edinburgh and Paris round out the top five.

How to have a merry Christmas

Thu, Dec 14, 2023

1. Get your priorities right. Christmas day is just 11 days away so if you still have a lot to do beforehand then it is important you have a plan. Otherwise, the hours will just slip away and you will end up feeling frazzled before you even sit down to eat your Christmas dinner. Start 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 complete all those outstanding tasks. Your list could include everything from buying gifts, icing the Christmas cake, ensuring the chimney is clean for Santa's much awaited visit, or doing a grocery shop. If you have a lot of tasks to get through but very little time in which to do them, aim to reduce your seasonal overload by prioritising. Many of us spend up to 80 per cent of our time doing non-essential duties, according to research, so ditch these, at least until after the New Year when hopefully you will have more time.

Use layered lighting to create warmth in your home

Thu, Dec 14, 2023

As we approach the darkest time of the year, it is worth bearing in mind that with a little planning, lighting can become a secret weapon for boosting winter warmth around your home.

Market day in Woodquay

Wed, Dec 13, 2023

There were a number of aspects to the market in Woodquay in the 19th and early 20th centuries – there was a crane for weighing potatoes at the end of the park (near the toll booth) and it was there many of the farmers who carried their wares downriver used to gather to sell. Other groups would congregate here to sell scollops for thatching houses, ‘flexible sticks’ cut from hazel trees. These were very much in demand in the city area as so many houses were thatched in those days including in Woodquay. Also in that area you would find basket makers who would weave creels, ciseáins, skibs and baskets of many shapes and sizes for sale to the public.

Your guide to gut health during winter

Wed, Dec 13, 2023

Good gut health is essential to supporting our immune system – which is vital during the colder months as 70 per cent of our immune cells reside in our gut. These gut microbiota play a major role in our body’s defence system; they are the ‘gatekeepers’ to our immune system, training our immune cells which bacteria to fight off and which substances to leave alone. Essentially, the 'good' bacteria in our gut compete with 'bad' bacteria and viruses for space and nutrients. The gut microbiota helps to keep these bad pathogens at bay by stopping them from colonising.

More than sixty Galway primary schools to join Hot School Meals Programme

Thu, Dec 07, 2023

Minister for Disability and Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East, Anne Rabbitte, has welcomed the approval of 62 additional primary schools in Galway for the Hot School Meals Programme.

The advantages of studying abroad

Thu, Dec 07, 2023

Many universities all over the country have dramatically increased their number of Erasmus and study abroad options for students as many universities have realised the benefits of studying abroad for students, most notably increased ‘employability’.

Go to National Museum for Christmas carols, local crafts, and a Charles Dickens classic at Turlough Park

Thu, Dec 07, 2023

The National Museum of Ireland is inviting people to discover some Christmas traditions from yesteryear, through a new programme of events and activities at Turlough Park, Castlebar, this month.

Enjoy a delicious Christmas meal in the comfort of Palmers Bar & Kitchen

Thu, Dec 07, 2023

Palmers Bar & Kitchen is a contemporary bar and lounge located on the grounds of Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate.

It is named after the Palmers, an influential milling family who bought Glenlo Abbey in 1897 and made their home on the site for some 90 years. Celebrating their legacy, Palmers Bar & Kitchen offers the very best in Irish hospitality. A classic and cosy venue, you will find a warm welcome in the laid back bar and restaurant. Relaxing and stylish, Palmers Bar & Kitchen is a new local favourite for a new era of casual eating.

‘Food glorious food’ at The Ardilaun this Christmas Season

Thu, Dec 07, 2023

The Christmas festive season is in full swing on Taylor's Hill, with festive lunch or dinners available in The Ardilaun Hotel for the month of December.

The Arches Hotel proves that excellent festive fare does not have to cost the earth

Thu, Dec 07, 2023

The Arches Hotel has been a cornerstone of Claregalway for some 50 years, and thanks to imaginative and accessible seasonal menus like the recently revealed four-course festive meal for just €28.95, it will likely be there for at least 50 more.

Owned by the Dunleavy family, a tribe that has been involved in the hospitality business for over a century, the Arches Hotel began life as a small, one-room public house, a far cry from the hotel which features a welcoming restaurant, bar and 21 bedrooms. The hotel itself is easily accessible with ample parking, and the location helps to make the answer to the endless question of 'do I have the energy to cook dinner tonight?', due to its prime location on the well worn commuter route of the Tuam Rd.

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