Six Furey brothers did not return to Loughrea

Tue, Dec 23, 2014

When it comes to the story of Galway and World War I there is no better man than William Henry. He came upon ‘the secrets in the attic shoe box’ some years ago when writing in a parish magazine he mentioned a relation of his in that war, and surprisingly opened a Pandora’s Box. People met him on the streets and told him that their grandfather, great-uncle, or cousin, or family friend also fought in that war. They had a box of their medals and uniform, letters or diaries somewhere at home.

Galway driving instructor named as RSA Leading Light for second year running

Tue, Dec 23, 2014

Philip Rice, Instructor and Managing Director of Advance Drive School of Motoring in Salthill, Galway has won the prestigious Leading Lights in Road Safety Award for Approved Driving Instructor of the Year 2014 for the Truck Category.

Mr Rice was presented with the award by Liz O’Donnell Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority. He scooped the nationwide award for a second year running after winning the award in 2013 for his recognition and contribution to road safety.

RTÉ Today Show searching for Galway’s heroes

Tue, Dec 23, 2014

Everybody knows them, the trojans of the local community who do hours of voluntary work and never seek any recognition.This could be anyone from the life saving doctor, to the jersey washer at the local GAA club. Is there a member of your community who goes that extra mile?

RTE’s Today Show wants to celebrate the local hero in your community. 

High Street facades

Thu, Dec 18, 2014

Galway Grammar School was founded by Erasmus Smith about 1667 in a temporary premises and it moved to High Street about 1684. An entry in the records for January 22 1684 reads: “That Dr. John Coghill be desired to write unto Mr. Patrick Mains in Gallaway that he will more particularly inspect the house there belonging unto Sir Robert Ward concerning the necessary repairs to make it convenient for a school and a commodious dwelling for the schoolmaster and usher and for boarders lodgings that it will amount to.”

Thirty nine stories from south Galway

Thu, Dec 18, 2014

Before the cattle marts took over the selling of livestock and farm produce, that important aspect  of farming took place on fair days. The main street or the square of the town would become a heaving mass of people, animals, carts and stalls. The marts offered a point for disease control, and traceability that eventually became the norm. But before that, to pass through a town on a fair day was to witness  rural Ireland in full flow. Fairs were busy, messy, and lively occasions, and  very much looked forward to by both the shop keeping  and farming communities. There was a May Fair, an August Fair and another around December 8. Not only were animals bought and sold, but friends met, couples exchanged glances; clothes and boots were bought, and glasses of porter sealed a deal.

Fair days were landmark occasions in the busy farming year, and their importance is a constant reference point in an unusual and revealing book (Two Cigarettes Coming down the Boreen), by Pauline Bermingham Scully who recorded the stories of 39 people living in south Galway from the 1930s. *

A postcard of Toft’s Amusements

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

The Toft family were associated with Eyre Square for many years since 1883 when they first brought a carnival there.

Ghosts of Galway’s past

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

One of the mysteries of Galway is that curious phrase under the west facing clock on the Galway Camera Shop on William  Street, which says: Dublin Time. The fact that now the clock shows ordinary winter time only adds to the mystery. But not so long ago Galwegians, delighting in the longer days of sunlight than in the east of the country, and displaying an oddity that makes living in Galway a pleasure, set their clocks a full eleven and an half minutes behind Dublin. However, trains had to run to a standardised timetable otherwise transport chaos would ensue. The timetable was set at Dublin time (linked, like the rest of the civilised world, to Greenwich Mean Time), so  as Galwegians hurried to the station they could glance at the clock, and probably have to put on speed (perhaps Galway Time explains why most meetings here are usually 11 minutes late?).

Warm tidings - tips for a safe and warm festive break

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

OFTEC which represents the domestic oil heating industry has issued advice to householders on how to keep warm, save money, stay safe, and avoid home heating disasters over the festive period.

The trade organisation issued warm tidings in the form of tips to help householders enjoy the break and prevent the potential nightmare of frozen pipes and potentially costly boiler breakdowns.

SVP says energy efficient homes bring real savings but inadequate income is main cause of fuel poverty

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

Research on the income and accommodation of a sample group of household types supported by the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) has found that while inadequate income is the main cause of energy poverty making homes more energy efficient brings real benefits.

Give your health a helping hand at Health and Herbs

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

Over-indulgence, extra activities, late nights and increased socialising puts additional pressure on your immune and digestive systems.

Twenty four hour fitness at Connacht Hotel’s Active Fitness and Leisure facility

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

The Connacht Hotel’s Active fitness and Leisure facility will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week from January bringing fitness to Galwegians in a more flexible way.

Be fit for anything this Christmas

Thu, Dec 11, 2014

Here are four easy tips to stay fit this festive season from the Coast Club at the Connemara Coast Hotel

Galway three-in-a row teams

Thu, Dec 04, 2014

The Galway senior football team played in four All-Ireland finals in a row from 1963 to 1966. They lost the first one to Dublin but achieved a magnificent three in a row in 1964, 1965, and 1966. They were not the only Galway team to do so as the New York Galway senior hurling team managed a similar treble, winning the New York Championship in 1964, ‘65, and ’66.

A Child’s Christmas in New York

Thu, Dec 04, 2014

Years and years ago, when I was a boy, when there were wolves in Wales, and birds the colour of red-flannel petticoats whisked past the harp-shaped hills, when we sang and wallowed all night and day in caves that smelt like Sunday afternoons in damp front farmhouse parlours, and we chased, with the jawbones of deacons, the English and the bears, before the motor car, before the wheel, before the duchess-faced horse, when we rode the daft and happy hills bareback, it snowed and it snowed.

Calling all Jes past pupils

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

Like most national schools in the 1950s, the bunscoil in Coláiste Iognáid (the Jes) used to have a little break, known as a ‘sos’, mid morning. The lowest class in the Jes was Bun Rang II and they had a charismatic teacher named Power, who was known only as ‘An Paorach’. This man was a Gaeilgeóir who taught everything through Irish, but made it fun. You had to learn songs like ‘Beidh Aonach Amárach i gContae an Chláir’ or ‘Trasna na dTonnta dul siar, dul siar’. Weather permitting he would use the period of the ‘sos’ to take his pupils out drilling around the pitch, always carrying a whistle and issuing his commands in Irish.

Caitlin and Dylan : At War and Peace

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

In the closing two years of the war most Londoners thought that the worst of the bombing raids were over. Instead, for a brief and intense period, a more sinister chapter of death from the skies opened. Flying bombs, launched from occupied Europe, flew into London. They were pilotless and practically without sound, except for a wail as they descended. They terrorised a war-weary people.* Many, who had braved the previous raids, felt that this was a horror too far. They sought refuge in quieter rural areas.

Hartmann’s of Galway

Thu, Nov 20, 2014

The first member of the Hartmann family to arrive in Galway was Alphons. His older brother Joseph was already established in business in Limerick. Joseph went back to Triburg in the Black Forest in Germany in 1895 to get married, and when he and his bride were about to return to Ireland, his father asked him if he would take Alphons with him.

Caitlin and life with the Johns

Thu, Nov 20, 2014

The four Macnamara children, John, Nicolette, Brigit and Caitlin, when abandoned by their father, must have sought some stability from their mother Yvonne. But she was distracted by her passion for Nora Summers, and was just not available. Instead they were scooped up by the artist Augustus John, and his mistress Dorelia McNeil, and, saying good-bye to Doolin, were brought to live in his rambling red-brick home in Dorset. At the end of a sweep of gravel, lost in rhododendrons and trees, Alderney Manor was surrounded by miles of moorland. It was an ideal and happy playground for young children.

Eleventh annual McCambridge’s Food and Wine Fair to take place next week

Thu, Nov 13, 2014

McCambridge’s of Shop Street will celebrate its 11th annual Food and Wine Fair on Thursday November 20 at the Salthill Hotel from 6pm to 10pm.

Proceeds from this year’s event will go to support the work of Pieta House, along with local schools Galway Educate Together, Dominican College, St Joseph’s College ‘The Bish’, Scoil Iognáid, Coláiste Iognáid, Lakeview School, Briarhill National School, and Coláiste na Coiribe. Tickets are available from McCambridge’s and all eight schools, and will be available on the door, at €20.

Loam — Galway dining redefined

Thu, Nov 13, 2014

By and large Galway does not like fine dining. White table cloths, fine linens, and silverware don’t appeal to our Bohemian tendencies. Elaborate five hour, three-figure, hushed meals make us collectively regress to our inner toddler, wanting to smear our foie gras and veloute around. That is not to say we don't enjoy fine food, we just like it in a more lively environment. Galwegians, and those who are drawn to settle here, are comfortable in the easy elegance of Kai, the relaxed charm of Il Vicolo, or propping up the bar upstairs in Sheridan’s — any place with that touch of novelty, eccentricity, and fun. In recent times, it seems the rest of the world is coming round to our point of view. There is a shift in the industry from formal and traditional establishments towards a style of low-key dining, both nationally and internationally. Now that chefs are busy opening pizza joints and noodle bars, the days seem numbered for fancy dining rooms and yet that is exactly what has just happened.

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