Diving at Blackrock

Wed, Nov 06, 2019

Up until the mid-19th century, there was a cluster of thatched cottages at Blackrock. on the Night of the Big Wind [January 6, 1839] these were literally blown away by the ferocity of the storm and the tide and most of the occupants had to move inland. They were mostly fishermen and there had always been a tradition of fishing in the area. Blackrock was also a favourite place for men bathing, and in 1885, Mr Moon and some of his friends decided to place a springboard there. Unfortunately they did not have ‘planning permission’ from the owner of the land, Colonel O’Hara, and he had the board removed and made it difficult for the bathers to get to the rock at all. It ended up in court and the urban council stepped in and signed a lease giving a public right of way to the bathing area.

In April, 1904, the urban council sought tenders for the erection and maintenance of the springboard at Blackrock. This structure was quite primitive and consisted of a wooden walkway with the board at the end, all supported by some metal poles. It was eventually replaced by this more elaborate structure much further out into the water which we see in our photograph today (which was kindly given to us by Cliona Clarke). Swimming galas were held here, usually under poor conditions, the idea of a swimming pool with lanes was a pipe dream then.

A Brief History of (sustainable) Fire

Wed, Nov 06, 2019

Our newest product, PiniKay eco logs, might just accelerate the transition back to sustainable fuels. The ‘PiniKay’ name is a nod to the machine that compresses waste wood from sawmills into dense log-shaped briquettes that burn long and hot like coal and peat but without the ash. Or the carbon footprint.

Loved by locals and visitors alike

Wed, Nov 06, 2019

Every time I pass through Salthill I am reminded how beautiful the promenade is, and what a facility we have on our doorstep, for those of us fortunate enough to live in the Galway area. My instinct is always to stop the car, get out and walk. ‘We should do this more often’ is invariably the reaction from family members. And so we should. A self catering stay at the Galway Bay Sea View Apartments in Salthill is now available for as little as €199 in total for a three night break for four people. With 34 large sized apartments, the venue offers an ideal break for families, couples and groups of friends.

Therefore all Seasons……

Tue, Nov 05, 2019

Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee’ wrote Samuel Taylor Coleridge, ‘Whether the summer clothe the general earth with greeness’……’or whether the eave drops fall, heard only in the trances of the blast’…..Fair play to him, I say, for being so open – minded. I’m afraid the colder, darker seasons are not very sweet to me, and when the poet wrote those lines he didn’t have central heating, Netflix and other small comforts that make the winter bearable. What he did have though, was an appreciation of the natural world and a sense of the beauty to be found in it at all times.

Top tips on selling your house in winter

Tue, Nov 05, 2019

The research shows the most successful time to sell your house is during spring or early autumn. However winter is still a good time to try to sell your house because there is less competition, but no matter what time of year, when it comes to selling a house, it can be a laborious task. From the frenetic tidying of the house, making sure it looks pristine for the impending viewing, to dealing with the rejections, many know the process can be tough and take a toll on any relationship.

Christmas Day dinner at Athlone Springs Hotel

Mon, Nov 04, 2019

This festive season why not join Athlone Springs Hotel in their celebrations? They have plenty to choose from with their fantastic Christmas Breaks including, Great Gatsby themed Christmas Parties, Visit Santa Days, Christmas Day Dinner, New Year’s Eve Casino night and not forgetting Women’s Little Christmas.

New Year's Eve Casino Night at Athlone Springs Hotel

Mon, Nov 04, 2019

Ringing the New Year in with Style
To ring in 2020 in style, you will be welcomed at Athlone Springs Hotel to a 1920's themed Casino Night.

Michelle Kinsella Makeup artist to the stars comes to Caprice!

Fri, Nov 01, 2019

Michelle Kinsella is one of Ireland's most in-demand makeup artists. She has been successfully working within the industry for over twelve years now with a wealth of experience under her belt in TV, Editorial, Bridal, Celebrity and Commercial Makeup. Michelle can list an impressive celebrity clientele from over her years in the industry including Laura Whitmore, Amy Huberman, Millie Mackintosh, Rosanna Davison, Marian Keyes, Nadia Forde, Cecilia Ahern and Jo Malone to name a few and not forgetting some of the boys, Bruno Mars, Tommy Tiernan and Aidan Gillen.

Queen’s College, Galway/UCG/NUIG, one hundred and seventy years

Thu, Oct 31, 2019

The history of Galway as an educational centre dates from the close of the Middle Ages. The Free School of Galway became so celebrated for its classical learning that it had more than 1,200 students from all over the country attending its courses under Alexander Lynch in 1615, when it was suppressed by King James I.

True stories of the supernatural…

Thu, Oct 31, 2019

A little later the fairy made his way to the old woman. “Have you ever seen me before?” asked he.

NUI Galway open day to showcase postgraduate programmes

Thu, Oct 31, 2019

NUI Galway will hold its annual postgraduate open day next Tuesday from 12 noon to 3pm in the Bailey Allen Hall, Áras na Mac Léinn. This open day is an opportunity for professionals, graduates, and current undergraduates who are focusing on their future, with the aim of upgrading their qualification, broadening their skills set, increasing their specialist knowledge, and ultimately improving their job prospects and earning power.

GRETB to offer sports, recreation and exercise course in Oranmore

Thu, Oct 31, 2019

A new sports, recreation, and exercise course will start in Oranmore in November. This fulltime QQI Level 5 programme provided by the GRETB Training Centre is a broad course that will enable students to assist in the running of a sports and leisure facility. The course is completed over a period of 46 weeks. Initially students spend time learning in the classroom, with the final 14 weeks working full time and part time in the industry.

Various modules are completed during the course, these include:

Keep updated with payroll and bookkeeping courses

Thu, Oct 31, 2019

GPA Solutions is offering a range of one day and QQI Level 5 business awards catering for those wishing to advance their business skills, or who simply wish to gain an introduction to payroll or computerised accounts.

Wholesome beef curry with butternut squash

Thu, Oct 31, 2019

With the onset of winter, this wholesome hot dish will certainly warm the soul on the cold dark evenings ahead. Combining a host of nutritious ingredients, the recipe, which serves six, tastes even better if you can make it a day in advance and let the flavours develop. Reheat over a gentle heat for the perfect workday dinner.

What do real witches eat?

Thu, Oct 31, 2019

The witching hour has arrived today and these terrible creatures will be wafting around on their broomsticks and casting spells with their wands, but what do you think they must eat to make them look so hideous? Well the clues are there.

Love vegan dishes, visit Fat Freddy's Restaurant

Thu, Oct 31, 2019

There have been many changes to culinary tastes in Galway and Ireland over the last 30 years. With a vast array of restaurants which give locals and tourists alike a taste of the world, the city's food family is as impressive as it is appetising.

Frighteningly delightful Halloween Frankenstein punch

Thu, Oct 31, 2019

This berry spooky Frankenstein punch will add the perfect touch to any Halloween table tonight. Bursting with flavour, fun, and fright, trick or treaters will be left dying for more.

Lose up to two stone before Christmas party season

Thu, Oct 31, 2019

With total focus on fixing your metabolism, System 10 can transform your weight loss, energy, sleep, health and much more. A good metabolism is the foundation of everything you are. A good metabolism gets you burning more fat every hour, 24 hours a day. Nothing can beat it for results. It is your weight loss master switch.

It controls the results from your diet and exercise. It does not matter how good you are with your food and exercise, metabolism faults severely limit your results and cause the stubborn fat on your stomach, hips, thighs, and back of arms. A good metabolism means you can lose up to 3lb of real fat each week – almost one stone per month.

Do you know what you are sleeping with?

Thu, Oct 31, 2019

Health is the most important of our needs, and is a priority for each and every one of us. The average person loses up to one pint of sweat every night while sleeping. What's more, we shed approximately 40,000 dead skin cells every minute, which equals nearly 20 million deadskin cells every night. If your mattress is not properly protected, these natural impurities are absorbed into the mattress.

Dust mites are microscopic spiders that feed on our dead skin cells and in an unprotected mattress there can be an accumulation of skin cells, dust mites, and their droppings, which cause eczema attacks as well as rhinitis or just an unrestful night’s sleep. Dust mites will drop between one and two pellets an hour.

Welcome to the future, where disabilities are superpowers

Thu, Oct 31, 2019

Alfie is a normal, fun-loving, eight year old boy. He was, however, born without a right hand. This prevented him from performing tasks such as using a scissors and holding things, affecting his confidence in the process. He did not like people asking him about it. According to his mum, Laverne, he was "reluctant to go out". This changed in May 2019, when Alfie, from County Down, travelled to APOS Kilcolgan to be fitted with his new Hero Arm.

E-paper

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