Why not celebrate December 6 as our Independence Day?

Thu, May 02, 2013

I made two mistakes last week. I got my months mixed up. Instead of a period of less than two years from the battle at his home Muintir Eoin in the Maam Valley to when he was appointed Leas Ceann Comhairle (deputy speaker) of the new Irish Dáil, I said it was less than ‘eight months’. Secondly the photograph. An utter mystery! It just appeared from cyber space by magic. No idea where it came from.

Nevertheless, despite these things, there has been a steady flow of e-mails and texts during the past few weeks. Maybe it is the approach of 2016 that has prompted people to take a greater interest in our history, I do not know. But there is a very considerable appetite for events that led up to the birth of our nation.

Letter from Australia

Thu, May 02, 2013

I was interested in the following letter from Leonard McDonnell, about his father and grandfather. His grandfather, Petie Joe McDonnell, born in Leenane, worked as a coach builder with Kilroys of Newport, before joining the Irish Volunteers in 1914. He had good military instincts, and was well regarded by the Dublin IRA. In March 1921 he was appointed OC Western Connemara Brigade. Pádraic Ó Máille served under him. While on the run he married Matilda (Tilly) Kilroy. They had eight children. He took the anti Treaty side during the Civil War. During World War II he served as a captain in the Irish Army. Afterwards he worked in the insurance business in Galway, and died in the city in 1967.

Wedding party of Pádraic Ó Máille and Eileen Acton September 1921

Thu, May 02, 2013

Many of the people included here have featured in the stories of the past few weeks. Pádraic and Eileen were married just five months after the battle at his home at Kilmilkin, Maam. It was still a dangerous time. Most of the men were ‘on the run’. At least two were on the ‘most wanted’ list. Watch out for Mrs Whelan of Clifden, that brave mother of Tommy Whelan hanged for a murder he did not commit, on March 14, the same year as this picture; what is Dr Michael Browne, later Bishop of Galway, doing there? and many more including Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith, and Petie Joe McDonnell.

Add some sparkle

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Summer is a great time to accessorise, I think. You can have so much fun with colour, especially with the very trendy neon this season, and adding a little bling is never a bad thing. And you have to remember that whether you like to wear scarves, bangles, or bags, they never really go out of fashion, so think of them as a very good investment. My current favourites include gold bangles (lots of them), big, chunky, necklaces, and gold earrings, worn with my go-to look of a T-shirt and black blazer. With plenty of collections and designers to choose from, here are just a few of my summer picks.

Modern femininity

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Spring is finally here, which means two things — sun and special occasions. Femininity is clearly being celebrated in spring collections, with sweet shades and demure silhouettes with a touch of sensuality and strength. The feminine look is being worn for all those upcoming special occasions — from weddings to confirmations, or anniversaries and days at the races. A modern feminine look with a charming twist is your winning ticket to spring style.

Make an entrance at wedding receptions with this Fee G floral dress from Amelia C boutique. In the sweetest shade of coral, a bow embellishment and waist-cinching belt create a classic feminine look for a refreshing approach to sophistication. Style it with metallic heels and sleek accessories for contemporary glamour.

Top stylists at David Martin

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Since opening in 2008, David Martin hair salon at Kingston Road has proved to be a huge success. This is the second salon in Galway by the David Martin group; the first is situated at New Dock Street.

Wild garlic weekend at Rua and Café Rua

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Wild garlic is a forager's delight and one of the best natural ingredients around at this time of year. Unlike the usual variety of garlic, the wild stuff is prized for its leaves rather than the bulb. The flowers are also edible, but are more often used raw in salads.

Boost your energy at The Coast Club

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Now the long evenings and the early mornings are upon us, our energy levels are increasing. Make good use of this energy at The Coast Club.

Revive Q10+ available at Salthill Pharmacy

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Revive Q10+ is a powerful combination of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and coenzyme Q10. It helps to prevent cardiovascular ageing, improves blood circulation, energy and vitality, and physical and mental wellbeing.

Indian head massage training

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Develop techniques to help stimulate the senses by learning the relaxing and invigorating practice of Indian head massage. For many the experience is blissful, deeply relaxing, and calming to the core.

Slimming World saved my life

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

On February 8 2012 I joined Slimming World in the Pillo Hotel. My starting weight was 12 stone 11.5 pounds. When you join you receive a starter pack which includes a few books, recipes, plans and fitness books. I went home and read the books on my first night and started the plan straight away.

Anti-cancer health and wellness retreat in May

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Sota Health and Wellness is a luxurious five star sanctuary of wellness, vitality, and rejuvenation set in a scenic and tranquil setting overlooking Kilcolgan Weir estuary and Kilcolgan Castle. This luxury health and wellness retreat is one of the most comprehensive, educational, inspiring, life transformative programmes available in Europe.

Improve your life by changing your posture

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

When you look in the mirror what do you see? An upright person with perfect posture or a stooped individual with hunched shoulders and drooping chin who looks years older than his/her age?

Kevin Faller, Galway poet

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

Kevin Faller was born in the Crescent in 1920. His father was John Patrick Faller and his mother was Madeleine Quinn from Tuam. They both died within six months of each other when Kevin was very young, so he and his brother Liam were brought up by their grandfather Stephen Faller. Kevin’s aunt Minnie, who was married to Nicholas O’Halloran, also helped to rear him.

‘No cheering crowds, no military parades, no public holidays’

Thu, Apr 25, 2013

On December 7 1922, less than eight months after the Kilmilkin battle, Pádraic Ó Máille TD and his friend Sean Hales TD of Cork, walked out of a hotel on Ormonde Quay, by Dublin’s river Liffy. They just had lunch, and were on their way back to the Dáil in Leinster House, a short drive away. Ó Máille, Galway city and Connemara’s first TD, had been appointed Leas Ceann Comhairle (deputy speaker). As they reached their car a gunman stepped forward and opened fire. Both men were hit, but Hales was bleeding profusely. Although seriously injured Ó Máille managed to get Hales into the car and drove to the nearest hospital, where he collapsed. Hales was dead..

The shoe edit

Thu, Apr 18, 2013

I am in the leather goods capital of the world right now — Italy. Bags, shoes, wallets, and belts, you name it, Italy has it in the highest quality leather. So there is no better time to talk about my favourite thing, surrounded by the best in the world — shoes.

Debenhams has just undertaken a very interesting study to see how the women of Ireland buy their shoes. The results are quite fascinating, with the women of Galway favouring a higher heel. The Galway store showed that sales of shoes with a six inch or higher heel were 35 per cent higher than the national average. Head of buying for footwear and accessories for Debenhams Ireland Amanda Wain says: “Footwear is a very personal choice, and can say a lot about the person. Different shoes can change your look instantly, so it’s interesting to see how certain styles are clear front runners in different counties. We’ve seen a huge change of direction with regards to heel heights in Ireland in recent years – they are getting both higher and lower – with flat shoes and towering heels the most popular in general, while mid height shoes just don’t sell as well anymore.” Clearly this result speaks volumes for our choice of shoe, so what should we have in our wardrobe to cater for every occasion?

Award-winning designers at the Galway Hat Shop

Thu, Apr 18, 2013

Winner of 2013 Milliner of the Year Award, Martha Lynn, will be showcasing her creations all this week at the Galway Hat Shop. The annual Golden Egg Fashion Innovation Awards were held in the Radisson Blu Hotel where leading designers and fashion students showcased their work all hoping to win one of the prestigious awards.

Enjoy great hair days at Cilla's Hair Flair

Thu, Apr 18, 2013

Cilla's Hair Flair, located in Queen B (beside Mocha Beans), Liosban Estate, Tuam Road, Galway, opened in March with Priscilla Fahy at the helm.

Gustav’s spring summer collection at Kilkenny

Thu, Apr 18, 2013

This season Danish fashion powerhouse Gustav brings you fashion to gush over with its stunning new spring summer range, available now in Kilkenny shops in Dublin, Galway, and Cork.

Aniar wins Best Restaurant in Galway at Santa Rita Irish Restaurants Awards

Thu, Apr 18, 2013

Aniar has been crowned winner of Best Restaurant in Galway at the Connacht regional final of the Santa Rita Irish Restaurant Awards 2013. The awards, which took place in The House Hotel in Galway last week, named the top restaurants in Connacht for 2013.

E-paper

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