Warding off winter chills

Thu, Dec 15, 2011

Christmas is around the corner. You are busy shopping and preparing for the festive season. It is chilly and damp outside and you cannot keep warm. Before long, you are sniffling and coughing and are battling with a cold.

Unwind in the shadow of Croagh Patrick

Thu, Dec 15, 2011

Known as one of Ireland’s finest four-star de luxe hotel and destination spa establishments, Knockranny House Hotel and Spa in Westport, County Mayo, is the perfect luxury getaway for those who like to combine fine dining with total relaxation.

The Vincent de Paul Society, Galway’s oldest charity?

Thu, Dec 08, 2011

Today’s photograph was taken about 100 years ago and shows part of St Augustine Street. In the foreground is Hynes’ retail shop. Hynes’ were major importers and had a yard and warehouse on the docks, so they could unload imported cargo directly from the ship across the street into the yard. The shop sold all kinds of hardware and builder’s materials. The shop has gone now and is replaced by what is known as the Hynes Building which houses the County Library and various offices.

Best Christmas gift guide ever

Thu, Dec 08, 2011

Having had an enjoyable stroll through Galway city and county, it is abundantly clear that Galway literally has everything that anyone could possible want for Christmas, and at a price that despite the budget, we can afford. Also shopping in Galway is fun! And the shops are making every effort to meet our limited pockets by having bargains and beautifully decorated shops. Then after a hectic few hours shopping, and everyone sorted, a hot mulled cider, or a cool German beer in the Bier Keller, at the Eyre Square Christmas market tent, is a blast! Her are some of my suggestions:

Present for mother - It’s always good to pamper the mammies over Christmas because of all the cooking they do but also you want to go out as many nights over the festive season without getting into trouble. One gift which is extra special is Pandora bracelet and charms. The bracelets start at €49 and charms start at €22. It is a thoughtful gift and throughout the year extra charms can be purchased. Another gift which goes down well with the mammies is spa treatments. The new salt spa in the Radisson hotel has received great reviews. Not only does it clear chest problems it is also hugely relaxing and will help Mammy wind down after the successful Christmas dinner making and clean up. Another gift which is proving popular is the fish tank therapy in the Eyre Square shopping centre. These fishy friends will nibble all the dead skin from your toes. The shop has vouchers on offer so drop by and treat mammy’s tired toes.

Style Isle

Thu, Dec 08, 2011

Last week I talked glam and this week I'm looking at gifts. It's December and we all have our eye on something fabulous for this year's stocking. In case you are baffled from the overwhelming choice of clothes, gadgets and gorgeous things, I have put together some ideas to help to fill your wish list. Whether you are looking to self-indulge in a treat for yourself or you need some inspiration for a loved one, I'm here to the rescue. I've trawled the shops and online space and come up with some super ideas!

Notes for the season

Thu, Dec 08, 2011

There can be a world of difference between selecting a stocking stuffer and a gift at Christmas. You can virtually give any random person a gift, but a stocking stuffer is reserved for those we really and truly know and adore. Stocking stuffers are chosen with precision, to make the recipient especially pleased. And amazing as it seems, when a guy says he’d like socks, sometimes a guys does in fact want socks. Below are some suggestions from Brown Thomas, for the people you adore this Christmas.

Stylish office party looks

Thu, Dec 08, 2011

So you are going for some Christmas party drinks after work with your colleagues, but you have very little time to get dressed up? Use these style tricks to dress to impress after a long day in the office.

Plan for tan — picking the right tan for you

Thu, Dec 08, 2011

Find the perfect party look by starting with your tan. Selecting a tan that suits your skin type can be hit and miss, so here are some of Matt O Flaherty chemist’s favourites.

On the wine shelf

Thu, Dec 08, 2011

Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2007 (Widely available, €12.99)

Coming close to Christmas, here’s a recommendation that will not break the bank and is perfect with turkey. On the nose it is definitely citrusy, peachy and more than wrapped in a little oak, while on the palate it’s creamy and nutty. With crisp acidity and great length, this is everything that should encourage more people to drink Australian Chardonnay from Adelaide Hills.

On the cookery bookshelf

Thu, Dec 08, 2011

Catherine’s Family Kitchen
As Seen On TV

GMIT Hotel School to provide gourmet giveaway in aid of Galway Lions Club

Thu, Dec 08, 2011

Hotel school students in the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology have volunteered to prepare, cook, and serve a gourmet dinner for 30 guests which will be auctioned off to the highest bidder during the Galway Lions Club ‘live’ Galway Bay FM auction tomorrow (Friday).

Finnerty’s champion craft butchers and Corry’s Loughrea

Thu, Dec 08, 2011

Finnerty’s butchers, which is located on the ground floor of the Eyre Square Shopping Centre and in Oughterard, has just scooped a top award at the All Ireland Craft Butcher Product competitions. It won supreme champion in the sausages and puddings section, quite an achievement when you think that there are about 500 butchers in the association and about 300 in the competition. Nevin Maguire was the main judge at the event so we can assume that the winners were all pretty impressive. I had often passed by the shop but never shopped there, so I decided to call in and try some of the award winning products. The main shop is in Oughterard and it has been supplying locally sourced meat for the last 50 years and supplies many of the main Connemara hotels like the Abbeyglen, Renvyle House, and Cashel House.

Your health is your wealth

Thu, Dec 08, 2011

Are you still thinking about what kind of gift you could give to your family members or friends for Christmas? Why not give them a healthy and relaxing gift -- a treatments gift voucher for traditional Chinese medicine?

Traditional Chinese therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure/massage, and herbs, which have been practised for thousands of years in the Orient, have become well known as a medical treatment for pain relief and many other conditions including sinus, headache, frozen shoulder, weight loss, arthritis, IBS, and women’s and men’s health problems. Some of the benefits include immune enhancement, an increase in energy, and an overall feeling of wellbeing. Traditional Chinese medicine and herbal medicine are proven to be among the gentlest therapies and are free of side effects.

Milk thistle — the natural cure for festive hangovers

Thu, Dec 08, 2011

‘Tis the season where so many of us tend to go overboard with drinking, between festive Christmas dinners, countless holiday parties, and New Year’s celebrations. And after the holiday cheer, most of us are left with that unwelcome side effect of our excesses: the hangover.

Discover the skincare benefits of peat

Thu, Dec 08, 2011

Briarhill Pharmacy and Beauty Emporium is introducing Galway to Ógra, Ireland’s first and original organic peat skincare range.

The perfect Christmas gift is now more affordable

Thu, Dec 08, 2011

Therapie Clinic, the prestigious laser and skin clinic on Shop, Galway, recognises that this is an expensive time of year and while we may have less money in our pockets than previous years, we still want to give a special and memorable gift to the one we love this Christmas. With this in mind, Therapie Clinic is offering 20 per cent off all gift sets and gift vouchers (over €150) for the rest of December.

From drab facades to the Latin Quarter

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

This photograph was taken only 25 years ago, but it shows how much Galway has changed in that space of time, and particularly the area of High Street, Quay Street, and Cross Street.

Europe never tasted so good

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

I am glad Galway does not have Michelin starred restaurants. I have eaten in two Dublin restaurants when the family occasion, so I was told, warranted a Michelin starred meal. The first occasion was very good. The owner/chef visited all the tables and chatted pleasantly, hoping that we had enjoyed our meal. We all had. On the following two occasions, including another restaurant, which to my disbelief, retained its Michelin star this year, both meals were a disgrace. Incredibly over priced, snobby and condescending waiters, tiny portions, and pretentious food. Apart from the obligatory ‘is everything all right?’ no sincere effort was made to connect with the customer.

Lose up to 10lbs in three weeks with System 10

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

Is your metabolism stopping your weight loss? Do you suffer from any of the following?

Slow thyroid — can cost you 400 to 600 calories, more than one hour workout. Thirty five per cent of people have an undiagnosed slow thyroid.

Party dresses for your shape

Thu, Dec 01, 2011

With the Christmas party season kicking off this weekend, it is time to find that special dress that will make you look gorgeous. It is all about feeling and looking good in your party outfit and having a great time. The key is choosing what suits you and accentuates your assets. In the coming weeks I will be selecting looks and style ideas to suit your shape and telling you how to wear them.

E-paper

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