Shantalla village, 1945

Thu, Nov 21, 2013

This remarkable photograph of Shantalla village was taken in 1945 by Pádraic Mac Dubháin and is from the National Museum collection. You will sometimes see the place name written as Shantallow and you will hear it pronounced Shantla by people with Galway accents. It is derived from the Irish ‘Sean Talamh’, old ground, though why Shantalla should be older ground than that which surrounds it is a mystery. Maybe it is because some of the land was not being worked.

Boston - A tale of three cities

Thu, Nov 21, 2013

James Michael Curley - four times mayor of Boston, twice elected to the House of Representatives, one term as Governor of Massachusetts, and two terms in jail, was the son of County Galway parents who emigrated as children to the US in the 1860s. The stories told about Curley are proverbially legion. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter rarely let an Irish politician go without asking if they had any stories about James Michael Curley. (The one president who shunned anything to do with Curley, was president John F Kennedy. But more about that in a moment).

Through chicanery, charm, bullying, and barroom brawls, with unashamed bribery and corruption, laced with brilliant and passionate oratory in a fine clear voice, James Michael Curley brought Tammany Hall politics to an art form. In the early decades of the 20th century, he mobilised his Irish Catholic constituents by doing what the best machine bosses do well: He gave them all municipal jobs, good, fat municipal contracts, and created a network of favours, which he called in on election day.

The 17th Lancers in Earl’s Island

Thu, Nov 14, 2013

When World War I finished and the National Shell Factory on Earl’s Island closed down, the buildings were taken over by the 6th Dragoon Guards who had a reputation for wanton brutality. This was unusual in that most well armed British army units, with few having a role in the intelligence conflict, were rarely attacked during the War of Independence in the west of Ireland. While individual RIC men became defined as ‘good’ or ‘bad’, it was army regiments, rather than individual soldiers, that became so defined.

ó’Máille’s - Telling the story of island life

Thu, Nov 14, 2013

Tourism in Ireland is changing. Yes, there will always be a market for the Book of Kells, The Ring of Kerry, the Aran Islands, and Paddy Reilly’s Fields; but we have seen this year how the call for The Gathering has worked a treat. Surely Galway has never had a busier summer? To achieve above average visitor numbers you clearly must offer more than the chocolate box Ireland.

Super charge your skin

Thu, Nov 07, 2013

Are you aged 60 plus and keen to look your best for the festive season? If so, check out No 7’s Restore and Renew serum, especially for this age group and available at Boots.

Saving face

Thu, Nov 07, 2013

When you look at your face sometimes do you groan inwardly at how drawn it looks? Maybe you have had too many late nights, drank a little too much at that going away party or are recovering from a nasty cold? Or perhaps your facial muscles are just bearing the signs of tension and stress created by mundane activities, such as chewing, grinding your teeth, straining your eyes, even laughing.

Classic chic

Thu, Nov 07, 2013

Need a quick refresher course in easy, classic chic with a touch of feminine styling? Then, turn your attention to Bellanisa, a collection with its roots in Italian styling and fabrics.

Caring for your neck

Thu, Nov 07, 2013

The neck seems to age faster than any other part of the body. While there are some definite reasons for this, one of the biggest causes is neglect, say skin experts.

Looking after facial skin is second nature but taking this regime down to the neck area is often neglected because of busy schedules. This skin on our necks is more prone to sun damage, pigmentation and premature ageing.

Lose up to two stone in ten weeks

Thu, Nov 07, 2013

If you want dramatic results and a realistic and achievable weight loss plan, if you want to get at the stubborn fat on your stomach or hips and thighs and keep the weight off more easily, your metabolism is answer.

Ease anxiety and stress with Care Cure acupuncture

Thu, Nov 07, 2013

Overcoming the stresses and strains of daily life can be draining at best. Sometimes it becomes just too much and we feel anxious, frightened, and generally low. In times of great anxiety our qi (vital energy) cannot flow freely and is likely to become blocked.

The Galway national shell factory

Thu, Nov 07, 2013

During the First World War, towns and cities throughout Britain and Ireland had factories producing munitions for the battlefield. Galway was not one of these locations and indeed many Galwegians were travelling to the UK to work in these factories. There was a lot of criticism over this and so the members of the Urban Council and some local industrialists began a lobbying campaign to attract such an industry to the city. It would create employment and would be beneficial to the community.

The Duke avoids a shootout at Ó’Máille’s

Thu, Nov 07, 2013

Tom Grealy, the well known Galway accountant and music aficionado, remembers as a schoolboy the day John Wayne rode into the town. In 1951 Wayne, probably the best known cowboy actor of his day, was in Cong filming The Quiet Man. The film, somewhat surprisingly, remains a world -wide favourite. More than half a century later, it is still regarded by many film makers as the ‘perfect told story’. The involvement of local people among its star studded cast, which included Maureen O’Hara, Barry Fitzgerald, Victor McLaglen, and Arthur Shields, all at the peak of their careers at the time, won their lasting affection. The occasion is still celebrated in Cong today.

Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine treatments for fertility and pregnancy

Thu, Oct 31, 2013

Vera Deale is a practitioner at Alma Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Kilcolgan. Ms Deale has found that acupuncture is an effective means of treating many underlying gynaecological conditions in preparation for pregnancy. It helps in relieving stress and tension in addition to creating hormonal balance.

Lose up to two stone in ten weeks

Thu, Oct 31, 2013

If you want dramatic results and a realistic and achievable weight loss plan, if you want to get at the stubborn fat on your stomach or hips and thighs and keep the weight off more easily, your metabolism is answer.

Persse’s Bonded Warehouse, Earl’s Island

Thu, Oct 31, 2013

Two weeks ago in this column, we showed some photographs of the Jute Spinning factory in Earl’s Island, and what I thought were large stacks of turf beside the building. An eagle eyed reader has pointed out that these were not sods of turf, they were ‘jute butts’, stems of the jute plant from which the fibres were extracted. They were stacked out in the fresh air because they are easier to work when wet. The fibres that made up the rough jute products were extracted from the top half of the plant.

Strange visions and beliefs in the west of Ireland

Thu, Oct 31, 2013

Until recent times there was widespread belief in fairies; both the malignant and the more innocent kind. Many people believed that the fairies would steal away certain children, or an adult, and replace them with a changeling. These beliefs were mostly found in rural communities; and were often an attempt to explain, or to invite compassion or ‘kindness’ for a handicapped child, or someone who was temporarily ‘not themselves.’ The phrases used to describe this transformation are various; but locally included the words ‘touched’, or ‘swept’, or ‘taken’.

Building a better relationship with your teenager

Thu, Oct 24, 2013

Slammed doors. Endless arguments. Cries of “You don’t understand me.” “I hate you.”

HSE warns one thousand people could die from flu related illnesses

Thu, Oct 24, 2013

People aged over 65, pregnant women and residents of nursing homes are some of the at risk group whom the HSE West is urging to get vaccinated against flu this season.

Others in this category include children over six months of age with a long term illness requiring regular medical follow-up such as chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, diabetes, or those with lower immunity due to disease or treatment, and residents of long stay facilities.

Homecare Physio — physiotherapy that comes to you

Thu, Oct 24, 2013

An innovative company that brings physiotherapy to you has been launched in Galway. Established by local healthcare professional John Butler, Homecare Physio aims to provide a physiotherapy service in the home, nursing home, or workplace. The service is there for people who are unable to attend their local clinic for essential physiotherapy due to poor mobility, lack of access to transport, or time restrictions.

Look ten years younger with new anti-ageing treatment at Therapie Clinic

Thu, Oct 24, 2013

Pioneering skin clinic Therapie Clinic has introduced a revolutionary new anti-ageing treatment called iPixel, which can turn back the hands of time and help clients look an incredible 10 years younger.

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