Ross Castle - A labour of love

Thu, Jun 25, 2009

I have always had great respect for the Irish yew tree. Because of its association with sanctuary and protection in mythology, you often see the yew in old graveyards. But its strength and bulk in old age, (it can live for hundreds of years, fertile to the last bearing red berries and new growth every spring), it is also associated with love and protection. It is considered a great gift to have yew in your garden. If you are fortunate to have yew trees of a great age you are doubly blessed. Its branches are traditionally used in the Palm Sunday ritual.

Living with a rare condition

Thu, Jun 25, 2009

“When he was born he was a healthy nine pounds and was 10 days overdue,” says the mother of two who lives in Rahylin Glebe, Ballybane. “He got pneumonia when he was 11 weeks old and was in hospital for a week. It was thought he had meningitis originally so pneumonia was a good diagnosis after that. He got over it and developed normally. If anything he was ahead of what was expected - he walked at 11 months. He was a chatty child who loved to go out.”

Trends in eating out

Thu, Jun 25, 2009

I have noticed that the traditional types of customers in many restaurants have changed over the past few years. The most noticeable is that women are now a serious force to be reckoned with and any restaurant which does not focus on their needs will suffer. On every single occasion that I have eaten out in the last 12 months there have been large tables of women’s groups dining, committees, hen nights, group of friends, groups from work, etc, and the same cannot be said of the men folk. What does this mean? I have not got a clue, but it is certainly good for the restaurant trade. Yet I have not seen any restaurant aiming its marketing directly at this group, eg, free cocktail for any group of more than X, or some such enticement.

Enjoy the fruit of the sea

Thu, Jun 25, 2009

Few people with a taste for seafood would pass up the opportunity to indulge themselves in a feast of fresh prawns. These little fellows can quickly become addictive. There is an endless variety of ways to cook and serve prawns and they always give an impression of good taste.

Romantic outdoor dining

Thu, Jun 25, 2009

Summer is here and we need to think about our outdoor space and gardens. Outdoor rooms are an essential on today's real estate market, as well as an inexpensive way to expand your living space.

Great ideas for children of all ages in Family Time

Thu, Jun 25, 2009

Give your children an active and exciting summer around Galway with the help of the latest edition of Family Time, the local guide to families activities in Galway city and county.

Blooming ideas for little green fingers

Thu, Jun 25, 2009

With the arrival of school holidays and good weather, this is the perfect time to promote a passion for the outdoors in children. The cool wet month of May has resulted in a late growing season, which means there is still plenty of time to start growing flowers and vegetables.

Get golden summer skin

Thu, Jun 25, 2009

Get set for summer with a subtle summer glow with new St Tropez Everyday Mousse. This instant-dry formula gradually delivers a hint of natural-looking, golden, colour to the skin. With its lightweight, velvety, texture and aloe vera-infused formula, St Tropez Everyday Mousse simply glides on providing effortless glamour every day.

Ziaja — affordable natural skincare

Thu, Jun 25, 2009

Ziaja’s (pronounced JiYa) cocoa butter range contains natural antioxidants and vitamin E. The antioxidants in cocoa butter mean that it can prevent some skin damage and give protection from free radicals. Vitamin E helps to soothe, hydrate, and balance the skin and also provides the skin with collagen which assists with wrinkles and other signs of ageing.

Dress for success — part three

Thu, Jun 25, 2009

To conclude this feature, this week we will focus on the two others career categories.

If you are working in sectors where skills such as creativity or individuality are required (for instance advertising, arts, fashion, entertainment, etc,) more flamboyant styles are accepted, even expected, using brighter colours and unique accessories. The way you dress should emphasise your personality and individuality.

Dress for success — part three

Thu, Jun 25, 2009

To conclude this feature, this week we will focus on the two others career categories.

Our Lady’s Boys’ Club sixty ninth camp

Thu, Jun 18, 2009

The year 1940 was a time of great social change in Ireland, a time when the State gave no assistance to the out of school education of young people, a time of war, a time of poverty. Prospects were not great. Recreational activity for the young of working class areas such as Shantalla, Bohermore, Claddagh, and ‘The West’ was virtually non-existent. The need for a club to provide social and recreational facilities for these people was paramount.

The reason why the Baroque Singers are the best in Ireland

Thu, Jun 18, 2009

There can only be two reasons why music highbrows are still a bit ‘iffy’ about the Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. One is probably a comment on his unusual route into classical music. A talented music scholar from Cardiff University and the Royal Academy London, he founded a jazz group Nucleus, which won first prize in the Montreux Jazz Festival. Then to keep bread on the table, he made a series of TV advertising jingles. One of them, called ‘got off the ground’, was for an airline. But it became so popular and catchy, that people were clogging the airline’s phones demanding what was that amazing music. Jenkins developed the theme and, extending its African and Arabic sounds, it became the energetic Adiemus. It topped the pop charts across the world.

Music highbrows distrust chart toppers.

KC Blake’s Pantry opens in Oranmore

Thu, Jun 18, 2009

KC Blake’s is open for business six days per week from 10.30am until 7.30pm Tuesday to Saturday, and on Sundays from 12 noon to 5pm. The company’s aim is to produce restaurant quality food for you to eat at home. So what is the difference between certain large supermarket dinners and KC Blake’s offerings except the price? I put that question to Vicky as today price is an issue for most people. The difference is that all the raw materials are sourced in Galway and of the best quality available, the fish, the meat, the fruit and vegetables, and even the packaging are all sourced locally. There are absolutely no flavour enhancers or preservatives and everything is handmade by the team of chefs. Everything is cooked fresh each day and delivered to The Pantry so it is as fresh as possible.

Great deals for barbecues

Thu, Jun 18, 2009

Offering the finest in lean and succulent meats is Brendan Loughnane Master Butchers on the Headford Road. Located beside Tesco Express, the family business has traded for three generations. Outlets in both Loughrea and Galway city have proven the company’s dedication to customer service.

Cava celebrates first year in business

Thu, Jun 18, 2009

Open now for more than a year, Cava, the stylish Spanish restaurant and tapas bar on Dominick Street has established itself as one of Galway’s finest eateries. With relaxed yet formal dining, Cava offers an opportunity to experience the culinary depth of Spanish cooking without having to hop on a plane.

Get dating with It’s Just Lunch

Thu, Jun 18, 2009

It’s Just Lunch, the dating agency for busy professionals, is in its second year of operation in Ireland and has enjoyed some great success. Many of the company’s clients are celebrating anniversaries at this time and franchise owner Anne-Marie Cussen couldn’t be happier.

Spirit One Spa highly commended at the Irish Tatler Spa Awards

Thu, Jun 18, 2009

The Ole Henriksen facial at Spirit One Spa at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway, was highly commended in the Best Facial category at the first Irish Tatler Spa Awards. The awards took place last week in Dublin's Michelin star L'Ecrivain Restaurant.

Spirit One Spa highly commended at the Irish Tatler Spa Awards

Thu, Jun 18, 2009

The Ole Henriksen facial at Spirit One Spa at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway, was highly commended in the Best Facial category at the first Irish Tatler Spa Awards. The awards took place last week in Dublin's Michelin star L'Ecrivain Restaurant.

Spirit One Spa highly commended at the Irish Tatler Spa Awards

Thu, Jun 18, 2009

The Ole Henriksen facial at Spirit One Spa at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway, was highly commended in the Best Facial category at the first Irish Tatler Spa Awards. The awards took place last week in Dublin's Michelin star L'Ecrivain Restaurant.

E-paper

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