Hats off to style

Thu, Aug 06, 2009

It was a day of fabulous frocks, killer heels and heavenly hats as fashionistas threw caution (and occasionally delicately balanced head pieces) to the wind and determined to enjoy Ladies Day at the Galway Races despite the credit crunch.

Remodel your bathroom

Thu, Aug 06, 2009

Tired of your 1970s bathroom? Maybe it’s time to give it a lift. Bathroom remodelling either fills you with thoughts of clean, gleaming, white surfaces or of a half-assembled disaster. Here are some steps to a bathroom remodelling project.

West Restaurant nominated for six Food & Wine Magazine awards

Thu, Aug 06, 2009

West restaurant, at the multi-award winning Twelve Hotel, Barna, has been nominated for an impressive six awards at the renowned Food & Wine Magazine Edward Dillon Restaurant of the Year Awards 2009.

The team at the popular Galwegian restaurant is shortlisted in the categories of Connaught’s Best Restaurant, Best Service, Best Good Value, Good Cooking, and Best Wine Experience, while head chef Cedric Bottarlini has been nominated for the closely contested Best Regional Chef in Connaught accolade. All nominees have been selected by the food-loving public and now the final decision lies with a panel of Ireland’s top food and wine experts who have the difficult task of choosing the winners.

The not- so- humble spud

Thu, Aug 06, 2009

My neighbour offered me some of his new potatoes last week, and as there was a distinct lack of tasty goodies in the Shaw household for dinner that day I picked up the garden fork and filled a pot with freshly dug spuds. I was not sure of the varieties but after 15 minutes steaming I saw that they were all beautiful floury types, with their jackets bursting open.

New safefood campaign warns consumers of food hygiene dangers in the home

Thu, Aug 06, 2009

Eighty four per cent of people do not wash their hands properly after handling raw chicken, according to new research from food safety group safefood. In its recent survey on food safety in the home, the organisation found that 72 per cent of people did not properly wash the knife used in preparing raw chicken before reuse on salad vegetables.

Coco Chanel — be classy and fabulous

Thu, Aug 06, 2009

Iconic fashion designer Coco Chanel once said, “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous”. If you are wondering how to attain an effortlessly classic style, this guide should help you.

Smashbox beauty playground event

Thu, Aug 06, 2009

Cult LA cosmetic brand Smashbox Cosmetics is heading to Medwell’s Pharmacy in Tuam to host a special beauty playground on August 7.

Together with the Medwell’s team, Smashbox artists will give beautistas all the hot insider beauty tips and techniques, and will also be demonstrating new and innovative product lines. Ladies will be able to try out Smashbox Cosmetics’ award winning product line, and learn how to enhance natural assets. Smashbox Cosmetics is all about cutting edge products with long-lasting formulations and on-trend colours. Complimentary makeovers will be available, and customers will receive a special gift with purchases over €50.

Non-surgical skin regeneration arrives in Galway

Thu, Aug 06, 2009

Saying goodbye to lines and wrinkles, sun damage, pigmentation, acne scars, and stretch marks is easier than ever thanks to a non-surgical skin regeneration procedure. Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy uses tiny micro-medical needles on the skin encouraging regeneration and repair, leaving you with smoother, brighter, healthier, younger-looking skin.

Nuns’ Island whiskey

Thu, Aug 06, 2009

In the eighteenth century there were quite a number of small distilleries operating in Galway, which was remarkable when one considers how many poitín makers there probably were in the hinterland. A new Government act on distilling in 1779 brought in controls and reduced the number, so that there were only two distilleries here in 1802. Thirty years later, there were four operating in the city... Burke’s Quarter Barrel Distillery was at the end of Quay Street, where Jury’s Hotel is today; Burton Persse had two, one in Newtownsmith and one in Newcastle (Distillery Road); and the Nun’s Island Distillery was owned by a John Lynch and produced 100,000 gallons per annum. Unfortunately Mr Lynch got into financial difficulties and closed down the business.

200 years ago the Belles of Galway spent their time ‘buying, laughing and chatting’

Thu, Aug 06, 2009

Week II

The sinking of the Athenia

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

The Second World War had only started for 10 hours, and the passenger liner Athenia was steaming across the Atlantic on its way to Montreal from Glasgow. It was 20.00 hours, on smooth seas, and many of the adults on board were preparing to eat dinner while some were putting their children to bed. Some others of the 1,103 passengers were relaxing on deck or in the lounge. There were 305 crew on board.

Gala night for Druid: Magnificent Gigli Concert in new theatre

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

It is exactly 30 years since Thos McDonogh and Sons presented Druid Theatre, for a peppercorn rent, with an old warehouse in Chapel Lane, in Galway’s Latin Quarter. It was far from a Latin Quarter at the time. Like other parts of the old city most of it was falling apart. Old 18th and 19th century buildings were roofless and derelict, a home for cats and rats. But it had a rough diamond look about it too with its pawnbrokers, ‘Nora Crubs’, the always warm Tigh Neachtain’s (if you could get in!), the Pedler and Kenny bookshops, Sonny Molloy’s very modest women’s undergarments shop, and the larger than life Mrs Mc Donagh, who showed us all that there was more to the fish industry than a stinky grilled herring, fried mackerel, and the auld cod.

Colm Tóibín’s praise: Druid’s new light on the world

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

Speaking at the official opening of the new Druid Theatre last Friday evening, the award winning writer Colm Tóibín firmly placed this Galway theatre at the centre of “ the very life of the country itself, in its shifting sense of itself, in its very reality”...

Top tips for racing in style

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

The key to racing style is to love what you are wearing, so that you will feel and look comfortable and carry yourself with confidence.

The outfit should suit your colour, your shape, and the environment. Go with what works best for you. A dress should be neither too short nor calf-length. Remember that by the time you have accessorised the outfit, applied make-up, and styled you hair, you might have done too much. Try to picture in your head the look that you want to achieve; it will help you to consider the completed look and aim for balance.

Galway joins Zumba

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

Fitness instructor Dara Kelly is infusing party fun into fitness by launching Zumba® drop-in classes for all in Galway. Zumba eliminates the ‘work’ from ‘working out’ by combining irresistible Latin and international music with dynamic yet simple exercise moves, using a unique intermittent training format.

Glow with Yes to Carrots

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

Get glowing summer skin with Yes to Carrots C body moisturising scrub. This hard working scrub invigorates tired skin, deep cleansing pores and providing long lasting moisturisation. Potent antioxidants, including ginkgo and green tea, work to fight free radicals and support cell renewal.

Get fit for less with Energie

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

Energie Fitness for Women, Galway’s only gym exclusive to women, is launching a new recession-busting solution to health and fitness at a time when we need to look after our physical and mental health more than ever before, while ensuring we get value for money.

Look sharp with Suits Distributors

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

Since their establishment in 2007, Suits Distributors Ireland has grown to become one of the largest leading suppliers of quality suits and casual menswear. Suits Distributors supplies suits to businesses such as RTE, TV3, Manchester United, AIB, Bank of Ireland, Keary’s, and Musgrave’s, and also fits and styles for a number of politicians and celebrities including sporting legends from Ireland and the UK.

The perfect racing hat

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

The Galway hat shop, located downstairs in Corbett Court/Eyre Square centre, boasts the best selection of international and Irish milliners in the country. This enables the store to offer customers a wide selection of individual designers with unique styles. Designers include Catherine Cooke, Nigel Raymond Couture, Vivienne Sheriff Millenry, and Peter Bettley.

‘Enjoy’ top class restaurant food to eat at home

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

Next door to The White Gables Restaurant in Moycullen is the newly opened Enjoy, where you can buy all sorts of goodies for young, old, and everybody in between. It is the brainchild of Ann and Kevin Dunne, who have been at the helm of The White Gables restaurant for more than 20 years. The popularity of the restaurant has obviously spilled over to the new delicatessen as on opening day there were queues to get in, and that was before any advertising. On my recent visit there was a constant stream of customers in the middle of a midweek day.

First impressions with any establishment are important and there is a lovely feel to the shop when you walk in — a superb display of patisserie items, lots of home-made breads, scones and muffins. Annie Dunne’s table is the centre of the shop. This table is an old table belonging to Kevin’s mother which is getting a new lease of life in the shop as it displays all the home-made breads. The shop has the feel of one that has been open quite a while and I’m sure a lot of the credit must go to Ann who has a reputation for “doing it right or not doing it at all”.

E-paper

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