Kate’s Orantown Centre and choosing a good oil

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Kate Wright has moved from her Cobblestones Cafe in Quay Lane, Galway, to a location upstairs in the Orantown Centre in Oranmore. A courageous move, I would think, but I am sure the legendary high rents in the city have something to do with it. Similar to the article last week about the new owners in Loughrea, these premises have also had two previous incarnations. The fact that Kate makes absolutely everything on site every day should make the difference and help make this a success.

Modern Homes & Building Exhibition returns to Galway next month

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Galway Modern Homes & Building Exhibition will return next month to provide ideas, advice and inspiration for those building, extending, or improving their homes. The show will take place in Leisureland on Friday April 1 from 6pm to 10pm, and on Saturday April 2 and Sunday April from 12 noon to 6pm.

For those applying for planning permission or looking for the products, services, and advice to complete their home, the trade professionals will be on hand at the show to guide them through their needs. There will be a multitude of professionals from the building, construction, and related sectors, all under one roof at the exhibition. When planning a new home or looking to make practical changes to your existing home, information is power and insight is a necessity. The Galway Modern Homes & Building Exhibition can offer you the opportunity to discover a wealth of expert advice and guidance, giving a strong foothold to any building endeavour.

Marvin Architectural to host design open day this weekend

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Windows and doors specialist Marvin Architectural will host experts in areas such as interior design and architecture at its design open day, taking place at its showrooms in Liosban Retail Park this Saturday.

More than somewhere to park the car

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

With so much focus on outdoor living, the days when driveways were simply a place to park the car are now well gone. The design and style of driveways mean they can now transform your property, making a real statement and creating that much sought after wow factor. Investing in the great outdoors is now so important as people are improving their existing homes rather than moving.

The time that Máirtín Plásán was best man at the wedding

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

“They’re coming. They’re coming, look! They’re coming at last,” said old John Larry. “ Look at them down in Leighleitir”... “ Who’s winning?” said Micilín Deaid, “It’s not our giorrán by any chance?” “No, I don’t think so,” said another. “There’s a black one in front with a white star”.... “ Come on Garrai Gamhain!” shouted one. “ Come on Leamhcoill!” roared another. “ Up Leitir Í! Said a few young lads. “ Come on Cnoc ar Eas Thoir!” answered others.

Largest ever range of ladies’ fashions at Standún

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

Standún is now open after its winter break and has its best ever range of spring/summer fashion this year in all departments.

Top stylists are waiting for you at David Martin

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

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

Spring trends in lingerie available at Change

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

There are two big trends in lingerie and lounge wear this season — romanticism and graphic purity.

What better way to embrace spring than with lingerie in airy and softly polished fabrics. You will see romantic themes in bras and pyjamas with tranquil feminine colours, delicate floral prints, and embroideries reminiscent of bygone days. For those who prefer simple elegance over playful romanticism, you can choose from the variety of prints with pure and straight styling, or block colours, cleanly trimmed, while still feminine thanks to soft refined materials and hues.

Acupressure — needle free therapy helps energy flow freely

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

Acupressure is a Chinese method of healing that has been practised for some 3,000 years and which works on the meridians, energy channels that run in a network through the body. In a healthy body, the ‘chi’, or essential energy, flows freely and evenly through the meridians. When blockages occur, the body becomes unbalanced, chi is trapped, and disease occurs.

Galway people urged to send recipes for inclusion in book

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

International health guru Udo Erasmus is inviting Galway people to send him their healthy recipes. He plans to publish a free Irish healthy recipe booklet later this year and hopes to include at least one recipe from each county.

Taste Matters in Loughrea

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

A friend of mine who has a good sense of taste and a keen eye for a bargain (he is a canny Scotsman) suggested I should join him for lunch some day to sample the food from the above-mentioned eatery at The West Bridge in Loughrea. I had eaten there before under two different owners and had noticed it was lying empty for a while.

Brunch time jazz at Sweetie Pies

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

Enjoy brunch to the relaxing sounds of the new resident jazz vocalist and guitarist at Sweetie Pies on Sunday mornings.

The unique vibe in Sweetie Pies will be even more enjoyable with this extra touch. A small sample of what's on the menu is French toast served with sausage, bacon, pudding, and tomato relish, homemade pancakes with chocolate sauce and cream, gourmet sandwiches, pizzas, and of course all those fabulous cakes.

Now is the time to invest in the perfect outside space

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

If you have decided to invest in transforming the outside of your home, now is the best time of the year to get started.

Galway-made natural weedkiller offers organic solution to weeds

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

Irish Organic Weed Killer was developed in 2009 by Galway businessman Oisin Concannon. Conscious of the dangers of chemicals to children and pets, he was looking for a non-toxic weedkiller in his local hardware stores. He discovered that no 100 per cent natural weedkiller existed in the Irish market and set about developing a natural Irish-made alternative to chemical weedkillers.

He then set up Irish Organic Weed Killer, which developed and launched Ireland’s first 100 per cent natural weedkiller in 2010 and is now one of Ireland's leading brands in the herbicide market. Irish Organic Weed Killer first entered the market with a one litre ready to use spray bottle and has expanded its range to nine pack sizes spread across three different products. With the introduction of a new three litre pack size in a handy ready to use bottle, a three litre refill, and a 100 per cent natural path and patio cleaner, Irish Organic Weed Killer has cornered the market. The company now also produces 10 litre and 20 litre sizes to cater for the amenity market.

Decorate, renovate, and protect with B&C Paint Centre

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

It is that time of year again when you get the urge to cheer up your home with a dash of colour and perhaps give the kitchen units a new look. It is cheaper to paint units than to replace them, and easier than you think.

At B&C Paint Centre you can choose from a vast range of Tikkurila or Dulux paints, both of which are quality assured. Decorate and protect your wood with the specialists from Finland, the leaders in this field – Tikkurila is a paint you can trust. For that luxurious pearl effect, try Taika — ask to see samples in the shop where many other special finishes are also available and where highly qualified staff will be able to give professional and helpful advice.

Sleep tight

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

When the alarm goes off in the morning do you spring out of bed, eager to face the new day? Or maybe you linger a little longer mentally building yourself up to the challenge of leaving blanketstreet? Or do you press the snooze button and go back to sleep?

Dredging the river

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

Alexander Nimmo made a survey of Lough Corrib almost 200 years ago in which he wrote the following: “The lake has 50 miles of shore, occupies 30,000 Irish acres and contains 1,000 acres of arable land in its isles, and contracts into a very spacious river about two and a half miles above Galway, which, flowing by the town, communicated with the Atlantic. The fall from the summit lake to the sea is considerable, but to the Wood Quay, above the town, it is trifling, and the river is in parts very shallow, running over a bed of rocks and hard gravel. It is not navigable from the sea to the Wood Quay, owing to the shallowness and rapidity of the water, and none but small boats can come down; but, unless in very dry seasons, it is thence navigable by boats drawing four feet of water and carrying from ten to twenty tons, with one square sail and four men, to Cong. They seldom sail unless before the wind, and though the lake has many islets and sunken rocks, the only serious difficulty in navigation is at Buachally Shoal about four miles up the lake, and at Newcastle. These shoals could be deepened for a small sum and the whole made to admit vessels of much greater magnitude. This fine navigation which extends about 30 miles, and into a seaport town, seems to deserve more attention than it has yet received. A good chart with soundings and sailing directions, should be published, the shoals or rocks cleared or beaconed, and a communication opened with the sea.”

The place where St Patrick wrestled with a bull...

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

That great observer of landscape Tim Robinson reminds us that Connemara is full of saints. Perhaps there isn’t a saint in the place today, but they were certainly there in profusion in earlier times. Looking around him from the heights of Errislannan, near Clifden, Tim observes that practically every one of the headlands and islands that he sees has its saint. There is St Roc at Little Killary, St Colmán on Inishboffin, St Ceannanach at Cleggan, St Féichín in Omey and High Island, and all the saints in the tangled archipelagos east of Carna, Bearchan, Breacán, and Enda; and the obscure Mocán or Smocán of Barr an Doire near An Cheathrú Rua, ‘and finally the great St Colm Cille who has all the south Connemara coast under his protection...’ But no St Patrick. I can only surmise that Connemara has so much beauty, so many stories of its people and places, its own music, magic and legends, that even the sandalled steps, and gentle words of the great Irish saint would have come and gone unnoticed.

Cheaters’ guide to Brown Thomas

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

One shortcut that I take in Brown Thomas regularly (and you can too!) is that I will visit each counter and department, simply asking “what’s amazing here?” It is a true short cut to success. It will help if you can add, as a by the way, that you love the sophisticated seventies look, or that you are sticking to the sharp feminine lines of the Mad Men era, or that you are a pared down kind of girl, or more is more with you, whatever your style is, reveal it. Be specific but not close minded. Nothing is written in stone, especially when it comes to style. The experts on cosmetics and fashion can steer you down the right path to achieve your desired look. If you are unsure what the best look for you is, ask one of the stylists. It is a complimentary service and she will spend time with you to determine what works best. Then the fun starts. Sometimes what is amazing will not necessarily be what works for you, but it is fun to know what is current and may influence your aesthetic in other ways. Soak it all in. A cohesive(ish) theme tends to run through cosmetics and fashions for every season.

Spring style ideas for all occasions

Thu, Mar 10, 2011

Spring fashion kicked of at last week’s Milano’s Fashion Show where boutiques from the county revealed little gems, giving us some great style ideas and a glimpse of what we can expect to update our wardrobe this season.

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