New year, new name for Oscars

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

Another year to look forward to; I wonder if 2011 will be as eventful as 2010 at Oscars? In fact 2010 was a pretty good year in Galway despite the best efforts of the economic environment. The year got off to a great start for Oscars with our inclusion into the Bridgestone Guide’s Top 100 Restaurants in Ireland. It really is a great privilege to make it into the guide as the top 100 also includes restaurants in the north of the country.

Notes for the season

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

The whole point of a make-up bag is that it should act as a kind of security blanket. You hope that the make-up you applied before you left the house (or the car as the case may be) lasts all day, but if it doesn’t you are prepared for any touch ups with the arsenal in your make-up kit. An over-full or disorganised bag brimming with 20 eye shadows and six lipsticks serves no useful purpose. Lots of items could/should stay at home, like your mascara (which should never be reapplied on top of old mascara), and your bottle of foundation (all you need is a smart compact for touch ups).

Style Counsel

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

Do you want to know how to be style fabulous in 2011? Follow my tips for clever thinking when it comes to your style.

Black and white story

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

It is one of the most popular trends from the international catwalks and now black and white is making its presence felt in make-up.

Flower power

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

Spring/summer fashions are full of bright, cheery colours aimed at lifting our moods and conveying a spirit of confidence for the New Year.

Spare your blushes

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

Blusher is a great way to give your skin a radiant glow and balances and links up colour on the eyes and lips.

Hair flair

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

Does your colour treated crowning glory need a New Year boost? If so, the Full Shimmer collection from Shu Uemura Art of Hair promises to do just that.

Leg it

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

If your legs or feet are feeling the chills of winter then what could be better than fleece lined tights?

‘Henceforth Irish is to be the language of Tawin’

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

As letter writers to newspapers know, as soon as you make your point, and satisfied that it is the only salient point worth making, you can be brought back to reality smartly by a riposte! Sir Roger Casement’s letter in the Irish language newspaper An Claidheamh Soluis, in the late summer of 1904, was a hard hitting criticism of the attitude of those parents who favoured that their children learned to speak English, instead of Irish. “The general mass of the Irish speaking parents have kicked the language out of doors.” He fully supported the struggle of the people of Tawin, a small island on the east side of Galway Bay, who had withdrawn their children from the local national school because they wanted their children educated through Irish. As a result the authorities withdrew the schoolmistress, and the school, unused for years, fell into disrepair. They warned the islanders that if they wanted the school to re-open they had to pay for its repair.

Fresh herrings, scibs, and red petticoats

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

This photograph of a very animated open air fish market was taken about 100 years ago, and shows lots of creels, scibs, various types of basket, a wondrous variety of patterned shawls, petticoats, and práiscíns. There seems to be more selling than buying. It must have been very colourful and competitive… just imagine them all calling out, in lovely Galway accents, “Fresh herrings”, “Johnny Dory”, etc.

The fish market used to be on Bridge Street until they opened the original Wolfe Tone Bridge in 1887. The bridge made it easy for Claddagh women to congregate in front of the Spanish Arch to sell their wares. The fishermen never did any of the selling, it was always the women. Not all the women came to this spot, many walked the streets or the roads in the suburbs with a scib full of fish on their head, knocking on doors trying to sell their product.

New year’s resolutions for your home

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Here are some ideas to get 2011 off to a good start on the home front.

Make 2011 the year you shop for your shape

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

We all have part of our body that we don’t like. We can easily get confused on what shape we are and what to look for when it comes to shopping. Here are some of my top tips and guidelines to make you feel much better when it comes to shopping smarter and finding what is right for you.

Cheat your way to slimness

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Is your waistline showing signs of over-indulgence during the festive season? Did too much plum pudding and chocolates pass your lips? If so, you may be seeking ways of disguising this extra weight as your prepare to shed it through embracing a fitness and healthy eating regime.

New Year’s resolutions for foodies

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

New Year’s resolutions are a bit like cooking a perfect soufflé, lots of thought and preparation go in to the making but the result is often less than hoped for. However, on the assumption that some good might come from said resolutions, then it is perhaps worth putting pen to paper. I am listing here some which might be worth consideration and also my fantasy resolutions for 2011.

Your health is your wealth in 2011

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

We all treated ourselves to deserved excess during the festive period, but the dawn of a new year offers everybody the chance to make amends and plan for a better lifestyle in 2011.

Need some Therapie after the festive season?

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Mince pies, brandy butter, chocolates, and mulled wine… Christmas is a time of excess so let’s make New Year a time of redress. This year why not make a resolution to be healthier and happier all year round and start the year as you mean to continue with a host of detox offerings from Therapie Clinic, all available at affordable prices.

Achieve a healthy weight in 2011

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Dr Eva Orsmond is probably best known for her role as RTE’s hugely popular Operation Transformation diet and nutrition expert. Her battle to re-educate people on health and fitness is changing hundreds of people’s lives every day.

Connacht Railway Cup team, 1947

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

In 1947 the Railway Cup crossed the Shannon for the first time. The team were all from Galway. They had beaten Leinster in the semi-final by a score of 2 – 6 to 2 – 5. The man of the match in that game was Paddy Gantley. He gave another memorable display on Easter Sunday when he lined out against Munster in the final. His name used to appear on match programmes as ‘P. Gardiner’ because he was a priest, and not supposed to play hurling.

Sir Roger Casement’s support for a small island in Galway Bay

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Sir Roger Casement was a notable humanitarian and a British consul by profession but, ironically, an anti -Imperialist by nature. He over-stepped his diplomatic role to fiercely condemn Belgium for its brutalisation of the people of Congo*. His report, published in 1904, was however, well received by the British establishment, perhaps because it feared that little Belgium was getting too big for its boots, and too wealthy from its African ventures. Casement received a knighthood.

Twenty-five ways to lead a stress-free life in 2011

Thu, Dec 30, 2010

1. Learn to identify what causes you stress and recognise the telltale signs that you are under pressure. These may be shallow breathing, increased headaches, a dry mouth, muscle tension, irritability, sleep disturbance, poor concentration, memory lapses, palpitations and panic attacks.

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