Survey reveals extent of water wastage in Galway homes

Thu, Oct 17, 2013

The majority of Galway people underestimate how much water they use at home, according to the results of a survey published by Irish Water this week.

Safeguard your children online for €20

Thu, Oct 17, 2013

The Learning Institute, Galway, has announced that it has been successful in securing funding from the ICS (Irish Computer Society). As a result of this, The Learning Institute is now offering a range of computer courses for beginners for just €20.

The heartless evictions from the Gerrard estate, 1846

Thu, Oct 17, 2013

Friday March 13 1846 turned out to be a very unlucky day for the 447 tenants on the Gerrard estate in the townland of Ballinlass, near Mount Bellew Co Galway. Shortly after dawn the sheriff, accompanied by a large force of the 49th Regiment under the command of Captain Browne, and an equally large detachment of police, arrived at ‘the place marked out for destruction.’ Despite the vehement protestations of the people, and their insistence that they had their rent money ready for payment, and that their repeated efforts to pay their rent was refused, the soldiers and police began systematically to demolish their homes, 67 in number. *

The Galway jute factory

Thu, Oct 17, 2013

The Galway Vindicator and Connaught Advertiser of December 24 1851 carried an advertisement which read “TO BE LET, for such terms as may be agreed upon, and immediate possession given. EARL’S ISLAND MILL AND BLEACH GREEN. These well-known concerns occupied for so many years by the late Mr Mitchell, Linen Manufacturer, Miller, Bleacher, have always been esteemed to point of situation; preferable to every other site in Galway, but the improvement made by the Board of Works under the inspection of their skilful engineer SU Roberts ... have rendered it superior to any in the Kingdom. The land will be secured against being flooded for any part of the year. The Mill Race has been changed ... the Mill Power amended and is now equal to 40 horse power. The canal between Lough Corrib and the sea leaves the lake at the very point on which the Mill stands. The layby for boats is within 20 yards of it, and the spacious quay with landing crane and every accommodation for shipping goods will adjoin.”

Caring for the customer

Thu, Oct 10, 2013

If you are a business owner how can you gain the competitive edge today as companies are folding and sales figures plummeting?

The Coole door knocker will rat-a-tat-tat once again

Thu, Oct 10, 2013

How many famous people lifted that heavy brass knocker on the door of Lady Augusta Gregory’s home at Coole, Co Galway, and gave it a resounding rat- a -tat -tat? It resounded again last weekend with all the authority of a grumpy judge’s gavel. The writer and broadcaster John Quinn, chairman of the 19th Autumn Gathering, used it to great effect to keep speakers to their time, and to summon people to the next event.

Superfood for your skin

Thu, Oct 03, 2013

We’ve heard of the benefits of omegas for our health and now thanks to Mama Mio OMega Body Oil we can feed our skin the ultimate superfood.

Eco friendly Christmas gifts from Weleda

Thu, Oct 03, 2013

It’s weeks away but some savvy shoppers are already on the lookout for Christmas bargains.

Getting a buzz the natural way

Thu, Oct 03, 2013

Is there a party on the horizon? Or are you thinking ahead to the festive season? If so, it may be time to think of getting your party pout ready in time for the celebrations.

Spare your blushes

Thu, Oct 03, 2013

Blusher is many women’s secret weapon. It can bring your face alive by adding colour and glow or can be used to add shape or to soften the cheekbones.

Dress for success

Thu, Oct 03, 2013

Dresses, the hallmark of the Italian label Peruzzi’s collection, are feminine, elegant and sophisticated.

Clean lines, classic shapes and blocks of colour are its dress code this autumn.

‘Up goes that hand again for Galway’

Thu, Oct 03, 2013

Those words were a regular part of Mícheál Ó Hehir’s radio commentary on hurling matches in the 1940s and 1950s when Galway were playing. The hand he was talking about belonged to Sean Duggan, who was arguably the greatest goalkeeper ever in the history of the game.

The romance of steam

Thu, Oct 03, 2013

In late October 1890, Arthur J Balfour, nephew of the Conservative leader Lord Salisbury of the time, and recently appointed Chief Secretary of Ireland, went on a walking tour of the distressed districts along the Galway and Mayo coast. Accompanied only by his sister, and local officials who joined them as they passed through different districts, they travelled without police escort. Remembering that it was only eight years since the Phoenix Park Murders* it was a brave gesture. But Balfour was probably the best of them.** He was genuinely anxious to improve the conditions of the area. He had influence in London, and an imaginative grasp of his brief for Ireland. He met and talked with the local community leaders, listened to what they had to say; and sat by the open fires listening to the mná tí.

Stilling the mind

Thu, Sep 26, 2013

What are you thinking of right now? That you are hungry, sleepy, should be supervising your children’s homework, working on a report for tomorrow’s meeting or that your boss is unhappy with your work?

Olympic consultant Gerry Hussey to host Positive Living Seminar

Thu, Sep 26, 2013

Gerry Hussey has more than 12 years experience working as a sports and performance psychologist since graduating from Trinity College, Dublin.

Are you the face of Therapie Clinic?

Thu, Sep 26, 2013

Therapie Clinic is searching for the new up and coming face of 2014. Have you got your entry in yet? The amazing prize includes €5,000 worth of laser, skin, and beauty treatments at Therapie Clinic and €1,000 in cash. The lucky winner will also be treated to a professional photo-shoot with a top photographer which will be featured in Stellar Magazine and the Sunday World Magazine.

Career wise, this is an incredible launch-pad for any aspiring model out there. With national exposure and a ready-made modelling portfolio, this is wonderful opportunity for the right person.

Sushi delights at Kappa-ya

Thu, Sep 26, 2013

For a couple of years now the undisputed centre of the restaurant scene was over the river in the West End. Dominick Street to Sea Road had all the better places to tempt people over the bridge, from Rouge all the way up to Kai. But at last there has been a seismic shift and there is a new dining district in the heart of the city. Middle Street is Galway's newest dining destination, where you can feast on tapas in the new Cava Bodega, slurp your way through lunch in the long serving Da Tang Noodle House, or dine on modern Irish cuisine in the comfort of The Malt House. With the inclusion of the friendly wine shop that is Thomas Woodberries, I may never go over the bridge again.

It is however Kappa-ya that is my current obsession. Nestled beside Thomas Woodberries, with its door awning waving to you in the breeze, it is what you might call bijoux, seating about 20 but with amazing food served by a friendly staff. There is an informal atmosphere with an unusual soundtrack (Gloria Estefan often features) and the menu is a tightrope walk between traditional and experimental Japanese cuisine. The original Kappa-ya sushi rolls are a regular working lunch option for my current husband. Probably not like any sushi you've had before, and though in Japan no one puts teriyaki chicken in sushi, they do here and it is very good. The rolls are sizeable and very good value especially to take out at €3.70, so you may as well have two. The prawn tempura with asparagus and mustard sauce is a particular favourite.

Galway Bay Hotel wins Best Carvery in Connacht Award

Thu, Sep 26, 2013

The team at the Galway Bay Hotel have picked up yet another award at the Unilever Foods Solutions Great Carvery of the Year 2013, held at the Herbert Park Hotel in Dublin recently. The hotel was awarded Best Hotel Carvery in Connacht, which is a testament of the quality of food and service provided in Harvest Café under the watchful eye of executive chef Robert Webster.

Casual Italian dining at Renzo gallery cafe

Thu, Sep 26, 2013

Renzo gallery café is located on Eyre Street beside Debenhams, in Galway city centre. Renzo is now open late Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, serving fine Italian wine and cuisine at recession busting prices. Good Italian food is at the heart of Renzo, with menu options to suit all ages and occasions. It offers simple, fresh, delicious, food, bursting with flavour, texture, and colour.

The set menu is a reasonable €16.50, which consists of an Italian platter to start and a main course of your choice, including a range of salads, pastas, and pizzas. The dessert menu features popular Italian sweet treats such as tiramisu and limoncello cheesecake. The wines on offer have been carefully chosen to complement the flavours of each dish. The team at Renzo are passionate about good Italian coffee, and trained baristas will be happy to serve you a rich espresso or a frothy cappuccino to top off your meal.

Lower Dominick Street about one hundred and fifty years ago

Thu, Sep 26, 2013

According to Hely Dutton, Dominick Street was built in the early part of the 19th century. It was outside the old city walls and was an indicator of how Galway was beginning to expand at the time. This photograph, which was taken c1965, is probably the earliest existing image of the street.

E-paper

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