Memories of the Hangar

Thu, Jan 27, 2011

What we know as Salthill Park was originally a large field with a small lake. It was landscaped in 1907. In 1925 the Salthill Development Organisation (SDO) asked the corporation to clean up a cesspool there, but that took some years. In 1924, three councillors, Mr Bailey, Eyre Square, Martin Cooke, and John Coogan, bought an aeroplane hangar for the urban council for £400. It had been used by the RAF in Oranmore and was re-erected it in the park. It was called the Pavilion Ballroom, but everyone knew it as ‘the Hangar’.

The school under the railway bridge

Thu, Jan 27, 2011

Apart from the profound influence that teachers had on their young students at Crumlin National School, Ballyglunin, Co Galway, the passing trains on the old Claremorris-Limerick line told them all the time of day, and the seasons of the year. The old school was located practically under the railway bridge. The train passed only yards from the classrooms. “We would wave out at the trains passing....” recalls Phil Forde, who stared school there when she was three years old in 1935. “There would be extra trains during the beet campaign. The beet would all go to the station in the horse and cart, and there would be about 20 wagons after the steam engine.”

Coping with depression

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

The word depression is a much misused term. When people are feeling a little sad, moody or down for a short period they often say they are depressed. But in reality they are really just having an “off” day or week and their mood will lift shortly.

Make a positive change to your life for 2011

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

We can all get discouraged when our New Year resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking, or improve our lifestyle fall by the wayside, but maybe a change of approach is the key to finally reaching that goal.

Easy ways to spruce up your home

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

You don’t have to do an entire overhaul of your home and garden to get it to feel fresh again. By making a few simple changes to your home and garden you can make it feel like new again, and even add value to your home.

Lose weight with the Orsmond Clinics

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

Dr Eva Orsmond is probably best known for her role as RTE’s hugely popular Operation Transformation diet and nutrition expert. Her battle to re-educate people on health and fitness is changing hundreds of people’s lives every day.

Spin with Jim in 2011

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

With the new year under way, turning your legs in circles will get those calories burning.

What price for lunch in Galway?

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

Having recently been in a very busy pub in Navan that served an excellent chicken a la king with rice at lunchtime at a cost of €5, I decided to walk around Galway city centre and see if there was lunch available to compete with that level of price.

Must haves to update your office wardrobe in 2011

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

Update your office wear with these wardrobe staples that will take you through the year.

Notes for the season

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

Spring is the perfect time to detox your closet. This time of year we start thinking about decluttering and buying a few key pieces to transition into spring. Before you buy a single piece, gut your closet by emptying every single thing out of it. A ‘quick tidy’ is vastly different from a ‘gut’. You will know this because it is more time consuming, creates more anxiety, and is ultimately more satisfying. Not to sound all Joan Crawford-ish, but its time to retire any wire hangers you may have. Store bought hangers are relatively cheap and make all the difference in keeping your clothing in good nick.

Woolies in Galway

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

In the early 1950s the chain of shops owned by Woolworths was expanding, but it did experience some difficulty establishing a branch in Galway. It appears some councillors and retailers resisted the move, but after several failed attempts, ‘Woolies’ (as it became known), acquired the former site of the old Royal Hotel on the Square. Woolies knocked the hotel and put up a purpose built retail store. As the day of the opening approached, local interest became intense.

Two men of destiny meet on Tawin Island

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

In his interesting biography of Eamon de Valera*, Diarmaid Ferriter reports that in December 2000 gardaí seized 24 love letters from de Valera to his young wife Sinéad, which were being advertised for auction by Mealy’s of Castlecomer. It was believed that the letters were stolen in the mid 1970s from the de Valera family home. The owners, who had bought them in England some years previously in an effort to ensure their return to Ireland, were unaware that they had been stolen.

Need some Therapie after the festive season?

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

Mince pies, brandy butter, chocolates, and mulled wine… Christmas is a time of excess so let’s make New Year a time of redress. This year why not make a resolution to be healthier and happier all year round and start the year as you mean to continue with a host of detox offerings from Therapie Clinic, all available at affordable prices.

Acupuncture for pain relief now available at Athenry Holistic Health

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

Athenry Holistic Health is now offering acupuncture and InterX therapy as part of a unique combination for the treatment of all kinds of musculoskeletal pain, ranging from back pain to sport injuries.

Ali’s Fish Shop, Oranmore

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

During the last few days we heard the sad news about the Harvest Wine Shop in Oranmore and my heart goes out to all who worked there. I hope everyone will find a job in the near future. However, there was also some good news in Oranmore as a new fresh fish shop called Ali’s Fish Shop opened. Regular readers may remember I mentioned his other shop in Barna when it opened in 2010, Ali is obviously a courageous man and all I can say is “fair play to him”.

New year, new name for Oscars

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

Another year to look forward to; I wonder if 2011 will be as eventful as 2010 at Oscars? In fact 2010 was a pretty good year in Galway despite the best efforts of the economic environment. The year got off to a great start for Oscars with our inclusion into the Bridgestone Guide’s Top 100 Restaurants in Ireland. It really is a great privilege to make it into the guide as the top 100 also includes restaurants in the north of the country.

Notes for the season

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

The whole point of a make-up bag is that it should act as a kind of security blanket. You hope that the make-up you applied before you left the house (or the car as the case may be) lasts all day, but if it doesn’t you are prepared for any touch ups with the arsenal in your make-up kit. An over-full or disorganised bag brimming with 20 eye shadows and six lipsticks serves no useful purpose. Lots of items could/should stay at home, like your mascara (which should never be reapplied on top of old mascara), and your bottle of foundation (all you need is a smart compact for touch ups).

Style Counsel

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

Do you want to know how to be style fabulous in 2011? Follow my tips for clever thinking when it comes to your style.

Black and white story

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

It is one of the most popular trends from the international catwalks and now black and white is making its presence felt in make-up.

Flower power

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

Spring/summer fashions are full of bright, cheery colours aimed at lifting our moods and conveying a spirit of confidence for the New Year.

E-paper

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