Host families for international students

Thu, Jun 21, 2018

Since 1976, families across Ireland have been welcoming international students from the Midland Language Centre

Supporting the transition to secondary school

Thu, Jun 21, 2018

BY MARGARET HESSION
By this time of year, primary schools are a hive of activity with school tours, sports days, matches, standardised testing and the 6th class graduation ceremonies drawing close. Every year, more than 50,000 children in Ireland move from Primary to Post Primary education. The transition from primary school to secondary school is a milestone in a child ’schooling career.

Mercy Primary gets ready for historic change in the heart of the city

Thu, Jun 21, 2018

It is going to be a summer of change at Mercy Primary School in the heart of the city. While the school year might be winding down elsewhere, the 176-year-old school is getting ready for one of the most momentous changes in its history.

School of Make-up Artistry offers many courses

Thu, Jun 21, 2018

The International School of Make-up Artistry, spanning some 30 years, boasts a 100 per cent success rate for its students.

Spires House, Shantalla

Thu, Jun 21, 2018

In 1924, three Sisters of Jesus and Mary came to UCG to study for a degree, the first religious of any congregation to do so. While they were pursuing their studies, Mother Stanislaus looked for a suitable premises for a house of studies and finally purchased “Spires House” in Shantalla on June 26, 1925. The house apparently got its name from the two unusual spires you can see on the roof. It was used by the sisters as a hostel for secular students as well as their own nuns. These nuns were known to many people as ‘The Spires Nuns’.

Dealing with whatever the ocean sends

Thu, Jun 21, 2018

It is not surprising that any child with imagination, and an interest in the sea, would spend time at the city’s harbour watching the ships come and go, and the men who worked there as they talked and unloaded fish or cargo. As a child Kathleen Curran, once the home chores were done, would run down the back paths from her home on College Road and along Lough Atalia to the docks. ‘There she would stand and gaze in wonder at the ships, boats and trawlers, hookers and gleoteóigs tied up or coming and going about their business.’

Her books at home were all about seafaring. She devoured everything she could get her hands on by her cousin Peter B Kyne, who lived in San Francisco. He had a very successful writing career. More than 100 films were made from his books. With her brothers and sisters, Kathleen enjoyed a strong Irish cultural background (solid Fianna Fáil!), endowed by her Headford parents.

AJLA, grown up dining in Clarinbridge

Thu, Jun 21, 2018

In the pretty village of Clarinbridge, restaurants and cafes come and go with regularity. With its retro-modern cottage style, decorative shelves of chutneys, and wooden furniture, PoppySeed Cafe is one constant and reliable part of village life, tucked back from the main street behind the shopping complex.

Towards the front of the shop, the team make bespoke hampers and there are tables stacked with fancy crackers and posh lollipops, but this is more bustling cafe than it is gourmet food store. There is no such thing as a typical customer - you will see families with teenagers, young mothers with toddlers, and friends of all ages chatting over a coffee and a slice of cake. You can expect daily home baking, fresh soups, and lunchtime specials, a takeaway menu, and more - and at PoppySeed you are guaranteed delicious food and a warm welcome.

The Front Door Pub wins all Ireland cocktail competition

Thu, Jun 21, 2018

Padraig Storey, bartender at The Front Door Pub has been crowned as the All Ireland Cocktail Making Champion after winning the national final of the Jameson Barrelman Challenge.

Boxty's; a little piece of food heaven in Galway city

Thu, Jun 21, 2018

In an age where we do not have to leave the country to sample the food delights of Europe, Asia, America, and Africa, there is something that warms the heart and fills the stomach with happiness and comfort that only traditional Irish cuisine can offer. From the mighty breakfast bap to the humble potato pancake of boxty, it is impossible never to be left with anything but satisfaction with these homely delicacies

Home improvement projects to tackle this summer

Thu, Jun 21, 2018

If you are looking to give your home that upgrade you have always wanted, now is the time to do it.

The perfect gift for a creative loved one!

Wed, Jun 20, 2018

In an age where technology is king, we seem to be spending every available second on our phones and laptops, as well as watching TV and playing video games. Too much of anything is not good for anyone but because we have become so dependent on technology, it is very difficult to find any pastimes that satisfy our wish to express ourselves creatively which do not involve looking at some sort of screen.

Furnishing the Outdoor Room

Mon, Jun 18, 2018

As the evenings lengthen towards the summer solstice I hope you have been able to enjoy some time outside in the garden. This is the time of year when your garden furniture comes into its own so if yours is tired or past its best it might be time to think about investing in some new pieces. As a firm believer in the benefits of sitting down and enjoying the garden as much as possible, I look upon outdoor furniture as one of the most valuable investments in your garden, and it’s often overlooked in favour of hard landscaping and plants when planning your space. This is why I always include advice on the best furniture as an integral part of a garden design.

Top tips for selecting a wedding venue

Fri, Jun 15, 2018

So your other half has got down on one knee and made you the happiest person in the world. But now it is time for the real excitement to start - the wedding planning. All couples want their big day to be special but it is without doubt an event that takes lots of planning and the wedding venue is arguably the most important part of the process.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Fri, Jun 15, 2018

What is the OCT scan?
Ocular Coherence Tomography is an advanced diagnostic 3 dimensional eye scan for people of all ages. The technology uses light instead of sound waves to provide a high resolution 3D image of all the major structures in the eye.

There won't be a dry eye in the house with this advice from Oranmore Optometrists

Thu, Jun 14, 2018

Dry eyes is a very common condition that occurs when the quantity and quality of the tears fails to keep the surface of the eye adequately lubricated.

The Crane Bar

Thu, Jun 14, 2018

This pub, which is situated on the corner of William Street West and the Small Crane, was originally known as the West End Bar. In the 1930s it was owned by Paddy and Angela (known as Alda) Smith who lived over the pub. They also owned the garage behind the pub, which Paddy managed. This was where Bell, Book and Candle bookshop is today. Mrs Smith was from Loughrea and when she and her husband retired, they sold the business to her brother Mickey Coen. He ran it until 1970 when Padraig Cummins took it over. Padraig had a business in Menlo making concrete slabs.

The poet and his legend returns home

Thu, Jun 14, 2018

Kathleen B Curran, who began working for the Galway Harbour Board after she left school, would rise spectacularly through the ranks to become the combined Harbour Master and secretary to the Port Authority (an unheard of position for a woman in Ireland). She was intimately involved in all of the major events which the harbour witnessed during the latter part of the last century. But I am sure she took particular pleasure, as an Irish language enthusiast and a great admirer of the poet WB Yeats, when Galway was picked out to play a role in the great poet’s funeral.

New and direct to Cyprus

Thu, Jun 14, 2018

An enchanting island, steeped in myth and romance. Cyprus has been welcoming visitors for thousands of years with the Romans and Greeks having all added to the island’s culture. And now, holidays in Cyprus offer superb beaches, secluded villages, cosmopolitan resorts, unique historic attractions - with new direct flights from Dublin to Larnaca and Paphos.

Sligo is the place to visit for summer

Thu, Jun 14, 2018

County Sligo is a place steeped in heritage and tradition, mountains, beaches perfect for walks, golf, cycling, or strolling along one of the beautiful beaches.

Autumn business training courses announced

Thu, Jun 14, 2018

The Local Enterprise Office will offer short training courses in marketing, web, and social media this autumn.

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