Seoda...Seoda...Seoda

Thu, Nov 20, 2008

In 1951 Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann was set up to promote traditional Irish music. The first Galway branch was formed about 1965 and initially they held a committee meeting every week. Then somebody suggested they have a session every week instead, and this they did, in Martin Forde’s Eagle Bar in William Street West. Mind you, the session could not start until Mrs Forde had finished watching The Fugitive on television. These sessions became hugely popular at a time when very few pubs in Galway allowed live traditional music.

Fr Rhatigan strikes a blow for Rome

Thu, Nov 20, 2008

On February 28 1879 a desperate row erupted on peaceful Omey Island, near Cleggan, Connemara. The local curate Fr William Rhatigan burst into the local Protestant schoolhouse, run by the Irish Church Mission Society, saying he was ‘in search of his straying sheep’*. An argument broke out between him and the Rev William Lindsey MacNeice, the schoolmaster. Blows were struck. Who struck the first blow will forever be in dispute. But the evidence of Fr Rhatigan’s temper and strength is testified by the fact that it took the combined efforts of MacNeice, aided by his wife, his daughter Charlotte, his young son John Frederick, and two teachers from Claddaghduff, Messrs Davis and Coursey, to force him backwards out of the schoolhouse.

Immediately the rumour spread that the priest was ‘almost murdered’ by MacNeice and his family. An angry crowd stormed the schoolhouse. Stones and abuse were fired at the building and its occupants.

From crossroads dances to the internet

Thu, Nov 13, 2008

Gerry Cahill was born in Caherlistrane and started playing music from the age of eight..... first the melodeon, then the double row accordion, and later the piano accordion. He was a great admirer of musicians like Will Starr and Jimmy Shand. He soon developed a distinctive style of his own and he was very much in demand at house dances and roadside dances, which were very common at the time.

An unseemly brawl over God and scripture

Thu, Nov 13, 2008

In a week when The Irish Times reports an unseemly brawl between Armenian and Greek Orthodox monks who physically battled over turf and influence in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, revered as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, I was reminded of the unfortunate battle for the souls of Catholics in the aftermath of the Great Famine. This episode in Connemara’s long history still engenders passionate feelings today. The expression ‘they took the soup’ is still very much alive. At the time the campaign for souls splintered communities, and divided families. In a new book Soupers and Jumpers* Miriam Moffitt reminds us that Catholics and Protestants were convinced that their religion - and only theirs - was the ‘one true faith,’ and that anyone who lived, or more importantly died, outside their particular belief system could not enter heaven. From the middle of the 19th century, the poor of Connemara and the Dublin slums were targeted by the well intentioned Anglican Irish Church Missions.

Accessorise it

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Are you a fashionista who is struggling with getting used to being a recessionista? Are you eager to get more from your wardrobe now that you have to tighten your belt because of the economic downturn?

Getting shirty

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

The blouse is a staple item in every woman’s winter wardrobe this season. The bigger, the better so choose the voluminous version and then wear it with wide leg trousers to create show stopping style in an instant.

Firm up your skin

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Is your skin looking the worse for wear as winter begins to bite? If so, the new Frankincense Vitamin A/C/E Revitalising Body Cream from REN (€45) may change all that.

This revitalising multi active body cream promises to leave skin hydrated and healthy. The makers say high levels of pro vitamin A from beta carotene and vitamin C from Calabrian oranges boost collagen formation and improve cell turnover to help restore skin elasticity and improve firmness.

Debenhams up to 25 per cent off event

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Don’t miss out this season on the Debenhams’ up to 25 per cent off event. Save up to 25 per cent off *everything, including exclusive designers at Debenhams, from Wednesday November 19 to Friday November 21.

Style Counsel

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Q: I recently bought a grey suit for work. I would like to be able to wear it for casual occasions. Could you advice me? Regards, David.

Energie Fitness shortlisted for award

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Congratulations to Regina and the team at Energie Fitness for Women, Galway, who were nominated at the Annual Energie Fitness Evolution awards in Birmingham for Club of the Year (Energie Fitness for Women).

Energie Fitness Galway was one of just four clubs shortlisted for this award from the 78 Energie Fitness clubs across the UK and Ireland. This award demonstrates exceptional KPI performance and commitment to systems compliance and development and consistently meets targets in relation to bottom line profit and monthly sales targets. Unfortunately however, Galway just lost out to Plymouth.

Energie Fitness shortlisted for award

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Congratulations to Regina and the team at Energie Fitness for Women, Galway, who were nominated at the Annual Energie Fitness Evolution awards in Birmingham for Club of the Year (Energie Fitness for Women).

Lunch on a Budget

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Prices of houses are falling, prices of cars and vans are being slashed, and there are sales and special offers everywhere, so why are we not seeing any drops in the price of food to go? For ages I have felt that €4.40+ for a regular sandwich is outrageous and in these times of belt tightening many people do not have that kind of money to spend on what is only a snack.

Warm Asian tuna salad with pickled ginger and fresh coriander, served with sushi rice

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

This delicious salad comes from Kylemore as part of its Healthy Heart Month promotion. Fresh tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, offering a boost to heart health as well as improving concentration and memory.

Bring your home to life with Western Postform

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

In the current economic climate and with the house market becoming increasingly competitive, there has never been a better time to update and invest in your home. Whether you have bought a new home and want to give it a little personal charm, are selling your home and feel it needs that extra something to make it shine, or if you just feel like it is time for an update, bring your home to life with Western Postform, the Galway based company that offers top quality kitchens and bedrooms at prices that won’t be beaten.

Taps that run like Clock Work

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

If your bathing routine requires precision, the efficiency of the new wall mounted Clock Work collection from Ritmonio is sure to tick all your boxes.

home ground

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Since I spoke to you last week I hope that you have been busy gardening and enjoying all that the autumn/early winter has to offer in the garden. Remember that gardening should be hobby and not a chore.

The wind has rattled a lot of trees and shrubs this year so there is quite a lot of cleaning up to be done out there. A little bit like clearing up after the party has ended and the guests have gone home, if you like. Once fed and watered, they have left and you have to roll up your sleeves and sort out the debris. Think of the good times and enjoyment that the garden has given you all summer (a bit like the fun at the party) while you are out there in the cold, raking and sweeping.

A street scene in Galway, 1835

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Some weeks ago we reproduced a painting by William Evans of Eton College in this column. It was a colourful scene painted at the back of the Spanish Arch in 1835. Today’s image was painted in watercolour over pencil and heightened with body colour in that same year and was entitled “A Street Scene in Galway”.

The last stand of ‘spirited’ Caroline Blake

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Week II

The Oliver St John Gogarty Literary Festival

Thu, Nov 06, 2008

Poets, writers, discussions, music and workshops feature in the second Gogarty literary festival to be held in Renvyle House Hotel this weekend. Poets Michael O’Loughlin, Gerald Dawe, John O’Donnell and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill will give readings, Dr Nicola Gordon Bowe will give a talk on the famous stained glass artist Harry Clarke, there will be a guided tour to Tullycross church to see the Harry Clarke windows there; a talk by Jim Carney on Louis Mac Neice and Omey Island, and lots more.

Limited places only.

Style Counsel

Thu, Oct 30, 2008

Q: I love clothes shopping but I’m a lot more conscious of my spending since the economic downturn. Have you any tips for looking good on a tighter budget?

E-paper

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