Galway is getting younger looking, says Therapie

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Galway might just be the youngest-looking county in Ireland thanks to the pioneering new treatment available at Therapie Clinic, Shop Street, Galway.

Safeguard your home this winter and EBS will treat you to three months home insurance

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

With the long nights and cold days setting in, getting your home winter ready is never more important. To help you get your home prepared this winter, EBS Galway is running a winter promotion, offering 12 months cover for the price of NINE to new policyholders who switch their annual buildings and contents home insurance policy to EBS.

Let West Coast Property Management let out your property

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

West Coast Property Management, is a family-owned and operated business, with extensive experience in the Galway housing and apartment rental market, whose primary purpose is to rent out a property fast and efficiently to tenants who have been carefully vetted.

Buskers who can take you a world away

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

How far would a Galway person have to go to listen to live Mediterranean folk music? Would you have to book a flight to Spain? or Greece? Luckily you do not have to go anywhere that far. In fact you only need to stroll through Shop Street where you will be greeted with the electric tones of Sarumba - a three piece group well versed in Mediterranean music. This energetic trio of musicians spend their busking time churning out a set-list of high octane tunes which are emblematic of the Mediterranean civilisation and it seems the Galway locals are embracing this authentic and fresh sound. On a profitable day this three pronged musical attack can earn up to €300 in busking fare so what is it that makes their music so aluring? Originally from Pompeii, Italy, lead Spanish guitarist Vincenzo insists that Irish people are intrigued by the novlelty of their melodies. “Our music is so different compared to the music that you would hear in Ireland. But it would be the same if an Irish traditional band came to Italy people would love their music because it so unlike what they normally hear. There are plenty of music groups in Spain who do what we do, but here is like wow that is so different.” Vincenzo arrived in Galway almost 14 years ago. His initial intention was to holiday briefly here but he was captivated by the city’s homely atmosphere which resulted in the transformation of his travel plans into permanent residency. His fellow band members Celia and Delia - both of Spanish origin - were struck by the same when they landed in Galway a little over a year ago. “It’s so friendly here. We love busking especially during the summer when all the festivals are on and the weather is nice. It’s hard to play in the winter time because your fingers get cold and sore so we can only busk sometimes then,” says Delia, who provides the energetic rhythm to the Sarumba sound with her cajón, (slap drum). Sarumba’s music is a fusion of traditional Spanish influence and latin folk with a drizzle of flamenco flair delivered with a pacey tempo. They amplify their music to a powerful decibel level and sometimes that is not well received by retailers near their busking domain. “We love to party and our music is about having a good time but sometimes a person at work might be thinking ‘Oh I love this music but I have to work, I can’t party,’ so sometimes they tell us to keep the noise level down” Vincenzo remarks. Fellow guitarist Celia adds, “but people do enjoy our music and we love when people stop to admire our music.”The few complaints they receive about their volume levels contrasts with the early days of Vincenzo’s busking career before Shop Street was pedestrianised and the passing traffic was stifling his music. “When I first came to Galway it was not as multi-cultural as it is now and it was sometimes hard to play because there would be cars driving through Shop Street so people could not really hear the music.”It cannot be disputed that the arrival of the Sarumba band was a blessing for Galway culture, but for Celia and Delia it allowed them to revel in their talents. “It was only a hobbie to play back at home.When I met Vincenzo we started jamming and then I started to really practice when we were making our CD,” Celia recalls.The Sarumba musicians compose their own work. Vincenzo, like many acclaimed artists is self taught. He can read music. But in a country like Ireland where the people are still adjusting to the Mediterranean sound, playing the familiar favourites is a neccessity. Vincenzo however, claims that they are happy to do so. “It’s so unusual because people love to buy our CDs with our original songs on them but when we play a gig they want to hear covers but we are happy to do it and play songs like ‘Volare’. We want to gig more often so we will play whatever the audience enjoys.”Vincenzo recalls his chance meeting with Delia and Celia as a “beautiful moment” and the music they create in the Sarumba uniform always echoes that beauty.

McDonoghs to relaunch Stanley Centre in Ballybane

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

McDonoghs in Ballybane Industrial Estate is launching its newly revamped Stanley Centre this week. To celebrate, special promotions and expert advice on installation, building energy ratings, and low energy heating systems will be available in store from Thursday November 15 to Saturday November 17.

With fuel prices up 11 per cent in just the last 12 months and harsh Irish winters predicted, households are being forced to find ways to lower their energy costs without impacting on the warmth and energy in their homes.

Zumba at Monroes in aid of the Simon Community

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Monroe’s live music venue and Monika Otcova, with a team of local zumba teachers led by Monika Otcova come together to support Galway Simon Community with a fundraiser on Nov 23 at 8pm and entry is €10.

Your dream wedding at the award-winning Galway Bay Hotel

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Join the wedding Team at the Galway Bay Hotel for their Classic Winter Wedding Evening in association with Brown Thomas, on Thursday next November 22, from 7pm to 9pm.

AIB’s Big Drive for Small Business continues in Galway

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Businesses around Galway are to continue to benefit from coaching sessions offered by AIB. The second phase of the business coaching sessions will kick-off this month (November) and will run until February 2013. Feedback from customers involved in the programme has been very positive.

John Rocha launches his stunning new collections at the Kilkenny Store

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

One of Ireland’s most successful designers, John Rocha exclusively launched his stunning new jewellery collections at the KIlkenny shop.

Designer fashions and latest styles as The Outlet opens in Tuam

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

The official opening of The Outlet store in Tuam, takes place at the Shop Street premises tomorow Friday November 16 with special events running in-store from 5.00 to 9.00pm and you are invited. Champagne celebrations, American designer fashions and lots of give-aways will attract shoppers from around Tuam and County Galway to mark the official opening event so do not miss it. Special guest well-known Mandy Maher will perform the official opening and her team at Catwalk models have planned fantastic fashion shows scheduled for 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

Capones celebrates second birthday with event for Alzheimers charity

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Al Capone had two passions in life – a fine Italian feed and charity. Known as a modern day Robin Hood during his time, supporting local humanitarian causes was as important to the mobster as evading the coppers.

Lydons carpet and flooring celebrate eighteen years in business

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

Lydons Carpets and Flooring Moycullen village which is celebrating 18 years in business has launched its Winter Sale which is now on. Lydons staff pride themselves on providing good advice, great service and superb value.

Appy Days with Big O Taxis

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

A new smartphone app launched this week by a local taxi company looks set to revolutionise the way in which people will book taxis. This app is available for the iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows Phone smart phones.

A decade of good Karma in Galway

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

This December Karma Club Galway will celebrate 10 years in business.

The man from a town called Puke

Thu, Nov 15, 2012

He lived through the communist regime of Enver Hoxha; pursued journalism for 13 years; sought political asylum in Ireland; published poetry in Albanian and English; and now in Galway, he is a tireless promoter and supporter of the city’s cultural and artistic scene. He is Ndrek Gjini.

Civil case taken against council over explosion at City Hall

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

Civil proceedings are expected to be taken against the Galway City Council in the near future in relation to an explosion at City Hall in June 2010, it emerged yesterday.

Claregalway NS embraces EU lifelong learning Comenius project

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

Claregalway National School is currently taking part in its third European Comenius Project, joined by schools in France, Poland, Germany, Hungary, Turkey, and Romania.

Claddagh pupils honour Famine victims

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

Claddagh School pupils, along with teacher, Sean Leonard, will plant 1,000 daffodils in the Celia Griffin Memorial Park at Grattan Beach tomorrow at 1pm.

The planting is in honour of Celia Griffin, a six-year-old who died of starvation in Galway on March 11 1847, after walking with her family from Corrindulla in Connemara to Galway city, a distance of 27 miles, in the search for food and assistance.

Social dancing night for Galway People’s Resource Centre

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

A social dancing event to raise funds for the Galway People’s Resource Centre takes place in the Menlo Park Hotel this Saturday.

Swimming is a survival skill everyone should have

Thu, Nov 08, 2012

Today it is possible for everyone to learn to swim. Under expert care and experienced fully qualified teachers even the most nervous pupil can and do learn to swim, according to swimming tutor Anne Page.

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