From drab facades to the Latin Quarter

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

This photograph was taken only 25 years ago, but it shows how much Galway has changed in that space of time, and particularly the area of High Street, Quay Street, and Cross Street.

Europe never tasted so good

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

I am glad Galway does not have Michelin starred restaurants. I have eaten in two Dublin restaurants when the family occasion, so I was told, warranted a Michelin starred meal. The first occasion was very good. The owner/chef visited all the tables and chatted pleasantly, hoping that we had enjoyed our meal. We all had. On the following two occasions, including another restaurant, which to my disbelief, retained its Michelin star this year, both meals were a disgrace. Incredibly over priced, snobby and condescending waiters, tiny portions, and pretentious food. Apart from the obligatory ‘is everything all right?’ no sincere effort was made to connect with the customer.

Lose up to 10lbs in three weeks with System 10

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

Is your metabolism stopping your weight loss? Do you suffer from any of the following?

Slow thyroid — can cost you 400 to 600 calories, more than one hour workout. Thirty five per cent of people have an undiagnosed slow thyroid.

Party dresses for your shape

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

With the Christmas party season kicking off this weekend, it is time to find that special dress that will make you look gorgeous. It is all about feeling and looking good in your party outfit and having a great time. The key is choosing what suits you and accentuates your assets. In the coming weeks I will be selecting looks and style ideas to suit your shape and telling you how to wear them.

Notes for the season

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

Going from day to night in a hurry is going to be top on every woman’s agenda over the next few weeks. This can be done in a jiffy with the right tools at hand, and a few extra minutes in the morning.

G is for getting glam

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

Fashion is cyclical by nature and tends to revisit past trends rather than invent new ones. Now this is a positive thing – if you had a little black dress from years ago or your grandma had some costume jewellery that you happened to find in her attic, well you are in for a treat this season as old fashioned glamour is back.

Style is stepping back in time this season with thanks to some of the world’s most prominent fashion houses. Sparkle, glitter, feathers, sequins, leather, and faux fur have hit the high street with a bang. Taking inspiration from designers such as Gucci and Prada, who are leading the movement away from dull tones and textures, the high street stores such as River Island, Topshop and our own Awear and Born are the ones to watch. And naturally, the celebs are fans too. Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks and singer Paloma Faith are the best contemporary ambassadors for old school glamour who embrace eras past to define their red carpet style.

Christmas Day on a budget

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

It is pretty easy to create a Christmas Day spectacular dinner with an unlimited budget, however I think that you can achieve a superb result if you approach it with good planning and a modest budget. It is also worth remembering that the end result is never really as good as you hoped no matter how much you spend. Why is that? Well, we all want it to be the absolute best for all the family and now everyone has such high expectations that you would need to be a masterchef and a master shopper to fulfil everyone’s hopes for the day. Another stumbling block is that we forget that we are not used to catering at this level, so it really would be a miracle if it all turned out like the fabulous pictures you see in the magazines and cookbooks.

Deck the halls

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

Soon it will be time to raid the attic for boxes of tinsel and trinkets and embark on the annual decorating ritual. While we can’t help you unravel the fairy lights, here are a few tips to make decorating more fun and less about finance this year.

Galway trichologist tackles hair loss

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

Did you know that there are some 50 different types of hair loss, that common male hair loss can start as young as 14 years of age, or that 40 per cent of women lose hair after childbirth?

No more pills for your asthma, cough, and breathing problems

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

The World Health Organization lists hundreds of conditions that can be treated with acupuncture. Some of the conditions that affect breathing are infections, such as colds and flu, bronchitis, asthma, and eye, ear, nose, throat, and sinus infections. Patients with lung cancer could find acupuncture useful to strengthen their immunity and reduce the side-effects of conventional medicine.

Fight skin ageing with Seavite

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

Seavite, the organic seaweed-based skincare brand, has launched its latest secret weapon in the battle against skin ageing.

Create party pins

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

With the festive season looming and party time just around the corner it is time to unveil those pale and pasty legs after a long winter under wraps.

Achieve a golden glow

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

Searching for that perfect present for someone who would appreciate a sunskissed look this party season?

Competition Win Péarla goodie bags with Aldi

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

To celebrate the launch of Aldi’s new Péarla range of Irish-made toothpastes and mouthwashes the Galway Advertiser has teamed up with Aldi Stores Ireland to offer readers the chance to win two fantastic Péarla goodie bags.

When Michael D was vice president

Thu, Nov 24, 2011

For some reason the game of soccer seemed to be popular with Claddagh people. In the 1930s there were at least three teams representing the area. Claddagh Rangers were playing senior soccer, the equivalent of League of Ireland today, Old Claddonians were fielding teams, and by 1937, Galway Rovers were developing a youth team as well as a junior side. In their early days Rovers had no clubhouse, though the Old Malt pub could be described as a hangout, as could the Atlanta Hotel, whose owner Josie Owens had strong connections with the club.

Firing squads bring Civil War to a close

Thu, Nov 24, 2011

The Civil War in Galway came to an end because there was little appetite for further bloodshed in the face of ruthless determination by the Free State, or the pro-treatyites, to stamp out the anti-treaty forces. The Free State government warned that anyone carrying weapons other than the National Army, would be shot. Eleven Galway anti-treatyites were shot by firing squad. On January 20 1923 Martin Bourke, Stephen Joyce, Herbert Collins, Michael Walsh, and Thomas Hughes, all attached to the North Galway IRA Brigade, were arrested and executed in Athlone. On February 19 eighteen volunteers were arrested in Annaghdown, and brought to Galway gaol. It was given out that all were ‘well armed’. Even though it was expected that all, or a number of them, would be shot, nothing happened.

Notes for the season

Thu, Nov 24, 2011

After last week’s column on make-up addictions, my inbox was inundated with mail. It seems every woman has a few items that cross the line in her kit from a mere like to a love. Personally I think everything you have in your make-up kit or wardrobe should be a ‘love’. Life is too short for ‘likes’.

Going nuts about your diet

Thu, Nov 24, 2011

Nuts can be a healthy addition to everyone’s diet. Although nuts are fairly high in calories, eating some nuts in your diet is associated with reductions in heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Nuts contain lots of protein, fibre, heart healthy fats, magnesium, and iron, and some are bursting with antioxidants such as vitamin E and selenium. There are lots of different kinds of nuts available — almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachio nuts, and walnuts are all good choices.

Coeliac Society to host gluten-free festive lunch

Thu, Nov 24, 2011

The western branch of the Coeliac Society of Ireland will hold a festive Christmas lunch on Sunday December 12 in The Twelve Hotel, Barna (www.thetwelvehotel.ie).

Lunch and lyrics at Ashford Castle

Thu, Nov 24, 2011

Ashford Castle has introduced a new monthly Sunday lunch musical event.

E-paper

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