The blazer — how to wear it well

Thu, May 12, 2011

A wardrobe essential, the blazer is a versatile and timeless piece that will take you right into the next season. From the boyfriend style to long tuxedo jacket or cropped boxy blazer in black, white, cream, or navy, here are some ways to dress up or down this favourite piece.

Notes for the season

Thu, May 12, 2011

The purpose of any window display is to give a 3D snapshot, for people rushing by, of what the shop has in stock, to give a glimpse of the season’s trends, and of course, in the case of Brown Thomas, to delight.

Calling all Salerno past pupils

Thu, May 05, 2011

Bishop Browne invited the Sisters of Jesus and Mary to open a national school in Salthill, and on May 1 1952 Scoil Íde opened in what used to be a small hotel called Dalysfort House, with 43 pupils and three teachers. The numbers grew rapidly, so it was decided to knock the old hotel and build a new school. This was officially opened by the minister for education, Dr Patrick Hillery, in 1962.

Fear and loathing in the towns and villages as rebels divided on continuing the struggle

Thu, May 05, 2011

Following the news of the Rising in Dublin on Easter Monday April 25 1916, Galway was in the grip of rumour and anxiety. The Galway ‘rising’, consisting of about 600 men led by Liam Mellows, but poorly armed, was creating mayhem in the county. Police ( RIC) stations were being attacked, telegraph poles were cut down, and trains were not running. Galway was virtually cut off from news of developments elsewhere. Then panic ensued when on Tuesday a British warship, HMS Gloucester, steamed into the bay and indiscriminately opened fire into the coastline, and further inland. Refugees began to arrive in the town.

Currach racing in Salthill in the 1950s

Thu, Apr 28, 2011

In the early 1950s a group of people got together to come up with ideas for extending the tourist season. They decided to focus on traditional Irish cultural events throughout the country, often with a local flavour, and they called the project An Tóstal. A committee was set up in Galway and they came up with the concept of an All-Ireland Currach Racing Championships. Nothing like this had ever been done before, so it took quite a bit of organisation.

Galway - the most shoneen town in Ireland!

Thu, Apr 28, 2011

On Tuesday April 26 1916, 95 years ago this week, many people in Galway town were gripped by rumour and hysteria. Rebellion in Dublin had been the sole source of conversation the evening before, but now telegraph lines were cut down, no trains were running, and news that rebellion had broken out in Oranmore, Clarinbridge and Athenry, brought events closer to home. All roads out of the town were considered too dangerous to travel. All shops and factories closed. People stood in small groups discussing the situation. There were fears that the rebels were approaching the town.*

Summer day looks ideas

Thu, Apr 21, 2011

I recently attended a fashion show organised by the Clarenbridge Oyster Festival committee at the Marine Institute. First, the originality of the venue astonished me, then the gems of styles that boutiques revealed wonderfully surprised me. Although special occasions outfits were very much featured during the show, stylish and easy to wear day looks dominated the catwalk. The one outfit that stroked my eyes was a light turquoise sequin jacket with an aqua blue shorts and white tee from Galway boutique Daisy – this quirky and elegant number can be worn day to evening.

Summer has arrived with F&B at Meadows and Byrne

Thu, Apr 21, 2011

The overall theme for Spring 2011at Farrell & Brown is cute, flirty and feminine. It’s all about mixing, matching and of course … layering! Expect to find a playful collection full of bold and neutral colours, overloaded with pretty prints. With all the latest trends from cargo pants to check shirts, fashion tees, light-weight cardis and cheeky shorts covered.

Hot debs dresses at Tracy bridal and evening wear

Thu, Apr 21, 2011

For most girls, their debs night is the biggest event of the school year. Shopping for their dress is a rite of passage for every teenager who will want to ensure that she looks and feels fabulous. Tracy bridal and evening wear has been dressing young women for their debs for 21 years and possesses a variety of dresses to suit all tastes.

High tech cooking

Thu, Apr 21, 2011

These days everything seems to be classed as ‘high-tech’ from phones to cars to iPads to games to television on demand. Now the ancient art of cooking has entered an era of research and is producing a food style that is know as molecular gastronomy. Over the centuries cooking has evolved mainly through trial and error, noting carefully what worked and then attempting to replicate it again and again. That is the basis of a recipe and now we have thousands if not millions of recipe books to choose from. However, there has been very little pure research into exactly why certain recipes worked at the molecular level.

Good Friday will be great at the Meyrick

Thu, Apr 21, 2011

This Good Friday seafood lovers can enjoy a speciality fish and seafood menu as part of the Good Friday Agreement, a culinary night in the Hotel Meyrick. The event will take place on Friday April 22 in the appropriately named Oyster Bar & Grill restaurant.

Easter in the Burren-An Fulacht Fia restaurant

Thu, Apr 21, 2011

Now that spring is in the air, why not take a trip to the picturesque village of Ballyvaughan in the heart of the Burren and make the most of the glorious sunshine. An Fulacht Fia Restaurant is a family run restaurant located just outside Ballyvaughan, enjoying superb views of Galway Bay. Emphasis is on locally sourced food which is lovingly prepared by the restaurant’s highly acclaimed chef Irmantas.

Managing change in difficult times

Thu, Apr 21, 2011

Have you lost your job? Are you in debt? Is your home under threat? Are you afraid to tell your family just how bad things really are?

The men who first brought Sam to Galway

Thu, Apr 14, 2011

Galway reached the All-Ireland football final for the first time in 1919, when they were beaten by Kildare by 2 – 5 to 0 – 1. In 1922 they were beaten by Dublin by 6 points to 4. In 1925 they won it for the first time, beating Cavan by 3 – 2 to 1 - 2. In 1928, the Sam Maguire Trophy was presented to the GAA, and ever since, it has been the dream of every county in Ireland to hold it aloft in Croke Park on the third Sunday in September.

‘Ring out, wild bells’ to welcome this great composer

Thu, Apr 14, 2011

The composer Karl Jenkins is the bane of many music critics’ lives. They cannot understand him; or why he is so popular with serious music lovers. A recent study shows that he is now the most performed living composer in the world. If Jenkins was a Mick Jagger or a Paul McCartney then, some critics argue, different criteria would apply. But this man takes the most solemn themes, such as the Mass, and more recently Stabat Mater (the intensely moving 13th century hymn to Mary as she stands at the foot of the Cross), and presents them in an astonishing, and exciting, new format that makes you sit up, and ask: “What was that?” It is certainly not in the classical tradition.

Look fab for the festival season with Festival of Fashion

Thu, Apr 14, 2011

The Festival of Fashion will kick off at 8pm today (Thursday) with a wine and canapés reception in the stunning Marine Institute in Renville, Oranmore. The event, in association with the Clarenbridge Oyster Festival, will get you ready for a season of festival fun from racing to arts and music to oysters. You are sure find a look to suit you with festive collections from Ail Ruin, Squisito, Sorelle, Concepts, Select, Madison, Nestor’s, Daisy, Brown Thomas, Shenil Shoes, Demora, and Standún.

Sabor at Corry’s Food Hall, Loughrea

Thu, Apr 14, 2011

Over the years Loughrea has not had many new cafés/restaurants, and now in the space of less than six months, I visited a third new venture. The Corry family has had a butcher’s business in Loughrea for many years and just two years ago they made the brave move to a new architect-designed building beside the old railway station. The café is situated on an open mezzanine upstairs and is now producing some really good food. Like several places I talked about recently, it is on its third incarnation, the new head chef and proprietor Nigel along with his wife Magaly at front of house, has I believe got the right formula and range of products.

How OLMI Design can help to design and organise your children’s room

Thu, Apr 14, 2011

Do you think that your children need some space for their things? OLMI Design can help you with all these issues by helping to design a room perfect for your kids.

Parent power

Thu, Apr 14, 2011

“The world is passing through troublesome times. The young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old age. They are impatient of all restraint: they talk as if they alone know everything.”

Mother of the bride/groom — dress ideas to suit your shape

Thu, Apr 14, 2011

From glamorous knee-length coat dress combos to modern dresses, I have found some gorgeous styles to suit your shape.

E-paper

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