A child’s time on Spanish Island

Thu, Apr 10, 2014

I believe that my grandfather, Ronnie Hackett, was surprised when my grandmother agreed to marry him. He was the youngest of six brothers and four sisters, born in the Blackrock area of Cork city. Many of the brothers having a medical qualification went off to see the world with the British merchant navy. But in their later lives all came back to Cork, and enjoyed a happy life fishing and shooting, and a little bit of medicine. Indeed there are several family stories about a brother’s wife apologising to a full waiting room for her husband’s abrupt departure ‘on an urgent medical matter’. Whereas in fact, the call was from another brother to come fishing.

Lose up to two stone in ten weeks

Thu, Apr 10, 2014

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.

Your metabolism is the most powerful of the three keys — it is the switch that controls everything else. In most people this switch is off. Metabolism problems such as slow thyroid, type 2 diabetes, sluggish liver, hormone imbalances, PCOS, endometriosis, infertility, and digestive problems such as constipation, IBS, and diverticulitis will limit or stop your weight loss, no matter how much dieting or exercise you do.

Create a home that is warm and inviting

Thu, Apr 10, 2014

Paying attention to your interior decorating scheme will help you to create a home that is warm and inviting. Some people have excellent taste when it comes to picking single bits and pieces, but it is a whole new skill to put them together in an attractive way.

Fish cookery demonstrations at Mary’s Fish Shop next week

Thu, Apr 10, 2014

To celebrate the very successful opening of Mary’s Fish Shop there will be a party on Holy Thursday. Go along and see some great chefs cooking fish to perfection and also demonstrating how to make a great chowder. Everyone loves chowder and it is pretty easy to make, however it really helps to see it done in front of you or to be able to ask a chef for advice.

Paleo night at 37West

Thu, Apr 10, 2014

37 West has announced the arrival of the world’s first fine dining Paleo restaurant to come and take over its kitchen for the Galway food festival.

Gill, owner of 37 West, said: “We are excited to welcome the team from Sauvage. We have a big push on healthy eating at 37 West were are motto is healthy is the new sexy.”

Out with the old

Thu, Apr 10, 2014

I spent a few years working on Eyre Square many moons ago, when the lunchtime choices were few and far between. My old boss would always try to convince us to have a hefty carvery dinner in Fagan's (in the Great Southern) which would lead to a soporific afternoon in the office trying to keep my eyes from shutting while staring glassy eyed at my computer screen.

Wedding guests: dress to thrill

Thu, Apr 10, 2014

What to wear to a wedding? The annual wedding season debate will be a whole lot easier thanks with this guide to key trends and wedding worthy styles. Shop dresses, skirts, jackets, andaccessoriesanddazzle on the day.

Mid-season savings at the Kilkenny Shop

Thu, Apr 10, 2014

What better excuse to give your wardrobe a mid-season update than with super savings of up to 30 per cent on fashion and accessories at the Kilkenny Shop, home to Ireland’s largest selection of Irish designers as well as many top international labels. Kilkenny’s mid- season sale will run in all stores nationwide, including recently opened stores in Swords Pavilions and Whitewater Shopping Centre Newbridge, and online at kilkennyshop.com from April 9 to 21.

Get ready for summer with Therapie's new Brazilian bum lift

Thu, Apr 10, 2014

There is a renewed interest in voluptuous backsides, as Kim Kardashian and other celebrities regularly update us on their best assets. Not everyone is genetically blessed with such an attractive line to their figure, and some have quietly resorted to plastic surgery involving fat grafting or implants for enhancement.

Gearing up for the Fashion Oscars

Thu, Apr 10, 2014

Karen McManus from Catwalk Model Agency pictured showcasing a preview of the hair and Lancôme make-up look currently on trend on all the catwalks ahead of the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards 2014 next week. The fifth annual awards will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Galway, on Holy Thursday April 17, where designers from all over Ireland will battle it out in a number of categories with Natalie B Coleman special guest on the night.

Great furniture at competitive prices at Furniture House

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

Furniture House, a locally owned and managed furniture store based at 45 Briarhill Business Park, has successfully developed its business over the last few months. Furniture House is a one-stop shop supplying bedding, living, and dining furniture with a wide range of accessories available at extremely competitive prices.

Galway landscaping company honoured at horticulture awards

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

Moycullen-based Radharc Landscaping Co won two awards at the Bord Bia Amenity Horticulture Awards at the weekend.

Richardson’s pub, Eyre Square

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

The first reference to Eyre Square, or ‘The Green’ as it was then known, was in 1631 when it was planted with ash trees by Sir Valentine Blake. It was located outside the East Gate of the medieval city. “The square plot at the Green was set apart for the purpose of public amusement and recreation; it was enclosed with wooden rails and handsomely planted around.” The 1651 map of Galway features a row of small buildings which ran the length of the east side of the square.

Irish Cancer Society launches bowel cancer awareness month

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

The Irish Cancer Society has revealed the counties in Ireland which have a high bowel cancer incidence rate at its launch of bowel cancer awareness month which takes place in April. The society is urging people, particularly those in bowel cancer ‘hotspots’, to reduce their risk of bowel cancer by making some small lifestyle changes.

According to data from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland, Cork has the highest rate of bowel cancer in Ireland with an incidence rate of 57.9 per 100,000 per year. This is closely followed by Leitrim (rate of 56.39), Louth (rate of 54.97), Dublin North (rate of 54.49), Westmeath (rate of 54.23), Dublin South (53.87), Cavan (53.44), Mayo (52.98), Waterford (52.29), and Sligo (52.28).

Awareness week to highlight Raynaud's and scleroderma

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

In just under three weeks, Ireland will host its first Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Awareness Week. Raynaud’s & Scleroderma Ireland (RSI) is organising a full programme of promotional, educational, and information activities to educate the nation on both conditions and inform the Irish population of the symptoms and treatments associated with each, as well as encouraging those suffering in silence to reach out to the resources available to them.

Raynaud’s is a condition that affects the blood flow, occurring usually during periods of cold or stress. The condition causes loss of blood supply to the extremities, usually fingers and toes, leading to a series of colour changes to the hands and feet. The affected areas generally turn white first, with loss of sensation and loss of dexterity, then blue as the oxygen is used up, and finally red as the blood supply returns.

The lonely boy who landed on our shore

Thu, Apr 03, 2014

It is possible that when the 16 years-old Orson Welles embarked from the SS Baltic in Galway Bay in August 1931, he visited the Taibhdhearc theatre. In any event, he struck up a friendship with a Galway actor. Two months later he visited the Gate Theatre in Dublin, and went backstage to see his friend. Clearly impressed by what he saw, he left a note for its founding partners, Mícheál MacLiammóir and Hilton Edwards, boldly proclaiming ‘Orson Welles, star of the New York Theatre Guild, would consider appearing in one of your productions, and hopes you will see him for an appointment.’

Exciting range of spring products at G Furniture

Thu, Mar 27, 2014

G Furniture and carpets in Northpoint on the Tuam Road has some really exciting new products to brighten up your home this spring. It guarantees the best value for money in Galway in carpets and furniture, with a brilliant selection of three piece suites and rugs just arrived at special promotion prices.

Take a trip down memory lane with Green Monkey Designs

Thu, Mar 27, 2014

From TK Lemonade and Jacob’s Kimberly biscuits to Brennan’s Bread and Barry’s Tea, there are certain iconic products we will always associate with growing up in Ireland. New Irish brand Green Monkey Designs, based in Co Meath and new to the Kilkenny Shop, has created a range of quirky retro homeware accessories using prints of some of these traditional Irish brands, designed to stir up nostalgia and take you down memory lane.

Aniar Cookery School

Thu, Mar 27, 2014

When it comes to cookery classes, I have to admit I am a bit of a veteran. I have more than a couple of stints with the Allen family in Ballymaloe under my belt, I have had a nose around Paul Flynn's Tannery School in Dungarven. I have even tucked my knees under the bountiful table at River Cottage HQ with Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, still possibly the happiest day of my life (sorry kids).

Nearer to home, and if you like to do things in style, we have Aniar Cookery School, which is now firmly established in the Michelin-starred restaurant. As such, this is no ordinary cookery school. Aniar Restaurant is counted among one of the best in the country, and owner JP McMahon with head chef Ultan Cooke has created a terroir-based menu focusing on fresh, foraged, and wild ingredients sourced locally, and still retains the only Michelin star in the west. The school is run in the restaurant kitchen and all classes are taught by the apparently inexhaustible JP.

Siobhán McKenna - A legend in Irish theatre

Thu, Mar 27, 2014

French soldiers in World War I carried Joan of Arc’s image into battle at Ardennes, at Charleroi, at the Marne. They wore medals bearing her face around their necks, and tucked her picture into the pockets of their uniforms.

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